Pride will bring you down

As long as Uzziah sought the LORD, God gave him success. ... But after
Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.

2 Chronicles 26:5b,16a (New International Version)

The need to have control. Human nature.

From the beginning humankind have suffered enormously due to our need to wanting to be in control. Be it mariages, nations, companies, families have nt been spared either. Wen Adam and Eve failed in the gardern, i believe thats where this sicknes. Its totaly diferent to be responsible and the control we want that usualy lead us forgoing the word of God. Its not easy though to separate the two. But we can further look at the motives 'why i want to be in control of all things that pertain to my life' then we see the difference. God gave us His only begoten son so that when we believe we will not perish but have eternal life. Now Christ gave us His life and we bury ourselves. Paul says its nolonger I but Christ who lives in me. So the old should disapear completely and the new me which is the spirit of Christ should be evident everyday. Letting go of our ego which is one of the causes of wanting to control should go, selfishness, pride, jealous, fear. Now fear and pride t

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Christ came to save

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am the worst.

1 Timothy 1:15 (New International Version)

Conservatives rally in Washington

"Location and timing, on anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr's iconic speech, draws criticism."

Click here (http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/08/201082813632474697.html) to read the full story

Love

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be
devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above
yourselves.

Romans 12:9-10 (New International Version)

China: the future of Christianity? | Antonio Weiss

"With the state now actively financing Christianity, China could well become the largest Christian country in the world

Ever since Deng Xiaoping's..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/28/china-future-christianity) to read the full story

Churches mobilise to fight HIV in Papua New Guinea | Sima Barmania

"As I discovered on a recent visit, a pragmatic alliance of PNG churches is making strides in HIV prevention

In a nation where 90% of the population..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/27/papua-new-guinea-hiv) to read the full story

Belief enriches art

"We need to get beyond the cultural cringe of modern Christianity to understand great art

The question: What is the point of Christian arts?

I'm..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/27/religion-art-culture-heritage) to read the full story

Belief enriches art

"We need to get beyond the cultural cringe of modern Christianity to understand great art

The question: What is the point of Christian arts?

I'm..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/27/religion-art-culture-heritage) to read the full story

Churches mobilise to fight HIV in Papua New Guinea | Sima Barmania

"As I discovered on a recent visit, a pragmatic alliance of PNG churches is making strides in HIV prevention

In a nation where 90% of the population..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/27/papua-new-guinea-hiv) to read the full story

Psa 121, Heb 11v6, Heb 13v5

We thank God for the awesome testimonies which have come and are continuing to come out of this ministry. Yes we lack and are limited with certain aspects but we thank God for His grace and anointing which makes a difference.

Today i want to encourage those who are weary with life, those who are waiting for their miracle, those who have long lost hope, those who are down, broken, abused, tormented and crushed. I bring a message of hope to you from the throne room that God has not and will not forget about you. Trials of life don't last always, joy does come in the morning and it does not matter what you have been through God wants you as you are. The price for your suffering has already been paid for, God has already made the ultimate sacrifice through the life of His only begotten Jesus Christ. So don't you ever even for a split second think you are forgotten.

Heb 11v6 says He rewards those that diligently seek after Him. Lem tell you somebody your issue is the next success story, continue to diligently seek after God. The mess you are in don't matter as long as you make up your mind and go back to God. We glory also in that He is not just a God of a second chance but that He is a God of another chance He does not stop on chance number two. His grace is more than sufficient for us brethren and we have an advocate in Jesus Christ the first born of resurrection. So you are not forgotten your time will come and when it comes you will see that its only God breaking through for you and no one else.

God has not forgotten about us nor has He left us. In Heb 13v5 we are reminded of what Jesus Christ said that He will never leave us nor forsake us, its us who have departed from Him, its us who left Christ. Lets go back to our first love, He has not forgotten about you even if you were just one on earth Jesus Christ was still going to die for you. He who watches over you neither sleeps nor slumbers, He is watching over us. Those who diligently seek after Him,He will reward them. There are awesome blessings being released right now over God's people. Its a season of miracles, whatever was keeping you bound will keep you no more, whatever was making you cry it won't come to you no more. The earnest desires of thine heart are going to be met AND affliction will not rise a second time in your life no more.

You are not forgotten, hold on, don't give up, don't yield to weakness continue pressing towards the mark help is on the way. You are not forgotten. Stay Blessed

Psalm

Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your
law.

Psalm 94:12 (New International Version)

My people have commited two sins.

"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring
of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that
cannot hold water."

Jeremiah 2:13 (New International Version)

Weekly Wisdom

Weekly Wisdom

- Listen to your prayers, because they locate your level of spiritual
maturity.
- Pain is God's megaphone.

Read more about these Weekly Wisdom:
http://www.christnotes.org/ww.php?d=2010-08-23

1 Peter 1v 8-9

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not
see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible
and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the
salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:8-9 (New International Version)

I will strengthen you.

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)

Be channel

1John 4 v7-8
ln the past three weeks we were teaching on the Blood of Jesus, giving out a clear understanding of its meaning, the importance of the blood and how to use to blood in prayers. We thank God for those of you who read through and were blessed by these teachings. Today we are not going to be long as usual but we want to encourage one another with our everyday Christian living. The early church had a practice which is no longer emulated in most modern day churches. The bible in the book of Acts talks of how the early church would sell their belongings and bring proceeds to the apostles and everyone's needs were met.

Today people don't however carry nor have the same spirit of oneness. Love and unity has been misplaced by individualism even in the body of Christ. We can only stand out for fellow brethren if they are close friends and still up to a certain limit. The Bible in 1 John 4v7-8 then says ," Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. The one who does not love has not known God. For God is love." The same chapter goes on to say that we can't profess to love God whom we have not seen and yet can not love those around us that we can see.

Love is from God and God is love, so in the same way that God extended His love to us we ought also to love another and carry each other's burdens. Snif around for needs and be a blessing to someone. Let me tell you something, God will not descend from heaven with your wealth or job or anything you desire from Him. What He does is He blesses you through other people, He sends in people to be a blessing to you. A tap that's bring out water is never itself dry. So you also need to initiate the process by being a blessing to someone.

The bible says we reap what we sow. It takes love to buy a beggar on the streets something to wear, pay school fees for a poor kid, buy groceries for a struggling widow, visit someone in hospital, in prison. These are things that we all can do, you never know where your breakthrough is going to come from. So beloveth in Christ let us love one another just as God loved us and gave His only begotten to die in our place. Enjoy your week and stay blessed

Retreating towards God| Karen McIntyre

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"What happens if you take a weekend off every month to go on a Christian retreat?

In January this year I set myself a challenge – to visit 12..."

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Meditation boosts part of brain where ADD, addictions reside

"Spending some time meditating may improve the integrity and efficiency of certain connections in the brain, according to a new study. When a group of..."

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Justice, tempered by mercy | Face to faith

"Compassion should not be reserved only for those we judge to be deserving

Who tugs at your heartstrings? The children of Haiti, their homes crushed..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/21/compassion-religion) to read the full story

Christians in Zimbabwe mobilized to rebuild nation

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Christians in Zimbabwe mobilized to rebuild nation

Christians in Zimbabwe are being mobilized to set the groundwork for
national reconciliation and healing, even as the nation embarks on writing a
new constitution.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said, "You can't have healing without the
church playing a very moral role, a leading role. I think it would be a
misplacement of priorities to play the church as a political organization
rather than as a spiritual organization which has an important place in a
country where 80 percent are Christian," CBN News said.

Zimbabwe will undergo a three-month outreach to gather input from the
citizenry through a referendum on what the new constitution should contain,
CBN said.

Alex Chisangco, who chairs the African Centre for Law and Justice, is among
those working to mobilize Zimbabwean Christians to participate actively in
the making of the new constitution. Chisango said, "This is really one of
the greatest windows of opportunity," CBN said.

Government officials have met with Chisango and Jordan Sekulow, director of
international operations for the American Center of the ACLJ to further
discuss the constitution process, CBN said.

The drafting of a new constitution is considered a good step forward after
Zimbabwe had undergone years of unrest, inflation and political upheaval,
CBN said.

While the economy seems to be stabilizing, unemployment nonetheless remains
at 90 percent, and while government power is currently shared by two
political parties, they are often at odds and the nation continues to be
divided, CBN said.

Currently a Global Political Agreement is in force which has provided a
framework of constitutional reforms that are necessary so that elections
slated to follow the constitutional reforms will be credible and the
political situation will be stable, All Africa said.

On one end there is President Mugabe, and on the other end, Prime Minister
Tsvangirai. Mugabe would like elections to be held, even before any
referendum is completed, and is resisting the involvement of South African
Development Community in the process, VOA said.

Tsvangirai would like elections to be held after the referendum, and only if
the conditions are compliant to ensure fair and free elections, monitored by
the SADC, who are the guarantors of the GPA, VOA said.

Tsvangirai considers it a positive development that South African President
Jacob Zuma's report included the issue of Zimbawe's election during the SADC
summit, VOA said.

Chisango said, "We are ultimately the answer. We should not be part of the
problem. Neither should we just sit there as part of the victims. But we
should rise above the bitterness, rise above the wounds and woundedness, and
actually become the solution," CBN said.

Another Christian leader involved in the process is Shingi Munyeza, director
of African Sun Limited. The owner of numerous hotel chains, Munyeza noted
that if Zimbabwe focuses on its Christian majority population and galvanizes
the spiritual element, the populace can be mobilized to further their own
peace, CBN said.

Clean up programs

To boost the country's self image, the ACLJ has launched a nationwide
campaign where local churches, aid groups and government agencies are
working together to rid the streets on trash, CBN said.

The effort is being coordinated by Joshua Chiweda of Revival Ministries
International, who has also been meeting with churches to encourage their
participation in rebuilding the country, CBN said.

Chiweda said, "Christianity is not just people going to church but it is a
way of life which must be seen and must be a reflection of their daily
practices," CBN said.

Chisango said, "We believe that Zimbabwe ultimately will be a nation that
will forgive," CBN said.

Set your mind on heavenly things.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:2 (New International Version)

Whats your motive wen you ask?

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your
desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it.
You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and
fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you
do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend
what you get on your pleasures.

James 4:1-3 (New International Version)

Discouragement

It is unavoidable for anyone who is still breathing to face some form of disouragement in one way or the other. It might be a situation or it might be people. But just because there is something discouraging does not mean you should abandon what you want to achieve in life.

I want to share with you what i came across when reading an article written by John C Maxwell titled Acting Against Discouragement.

1. No one is immune to discouragement.

Regardless of your personality, potential, or position you will encounter discouragement at some point in life.

2.Our response to discouragement holds the key to our future.

I've noted two types of people in the world: splatters and bouncers. When splatters hit the bottom they land with a thud and stick like glue. No matter what you try to say and do, there's no use trying to pick up a splatter who has fallen flat. Bouncers on the other hand, pull themselves together and rebound after hitting the bottom. Give them a little bit of encouragement, and they will ride it back up to the top.

Everyone who falters has a choice: are you going to get up or give up? The difference between the splatters and bouncers lies in their attitude. Splatters bemoan their fate and blame others for their problems. Bouncers learn from their failures and find supporters to help them recover.

Finally
The depth of someone's discouragement may necessitate professional assistance. Sometimes the best service you can do for someone who has hit rock bottom is to persuade him or her to get help.

"Most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself rather than talking to yourself."

Speak affirming and encouraging words that can take the place of negative thoughts. Once people change their thinking, their attitudes and actions eventually follow.

Good day!

Tiger Woods looks to regain form at Barclays Classic

"• Tiger Woods targets FedExCup event to restore fortunes

• 'It's starting to head in the right direction now, which is good'

Tiger Woods has entered..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/aug/20/tiger-woods-barclays-classic) to read the full story

Tiger Woods looks to regain form at Barclays Classic

"• Tiger Woods targets FedExCup event to restore fortunes

• 'It's starting to head in the right direction now, which is good'

Tiger Woods has entered..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/aug/20/tiger-woods-barclays-classic) to read the full story

Stand firm and take the shield

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet
fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In
addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Ephesians 6:14-16 (New International Version)

Social Media Insecurity: What to do When Online Activity Affects Your Offline Relationships

"As social media enthusiasts, we often forget that we live in a different type of world than everyone else. We might be more keen to open up to..."

Click here (http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techipedia/~3/2E6CjT3AWGc/) to read the full story

CAN GOD VOUCH FOR YOU??

Everyday we face challenges and in many cases we don’t see the way out. God was so proud of Job that He asked Satan about Job. Look at Job 1v6-12 Job 1:6 And a day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah. And Satan also came among them.

Job 1:7  And Jehovah said to Satan, From where do you come? Then Satan answered Jehovah and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Job 1:8  And Jehovah said to Satan, Have you set your heart against My servant Job, because there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil?

Job 1:9  And Satan answered Jehovah and said, Does Job fear God for nothing?

Job 1:10  Have You not made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock have increased in the land.

Job 1:11  But put forth Your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to Your face.

Job 1:12  And Jehovah said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only do not lay your hand upon him. And Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah.

 God has put a hedge around each and every person that fears Him. But my question is to what extend can God trust you with your own life? Can God trust you in decision making of your own life. Remember the parable about the sower, They where all given talents but different quantities.  We always have different measures of blessings. He has entrusted us with wealth can He leave you at the mercy of the devil or the devil will have the last laugh?? God trusted Job so much that He asked Satan about him, and the devil accused God of putting a hedge around him. Can Satan do the same about you to God or God cannot even mention you because you will embarrass Him?? Do you even know that you have a hedge around you?

Job lost all of his family, treasures and even friends mocked him. I can’t even imagine myself getting to that level that Job had to go through because it was terrible. All of us have a measure of trials that we face according to our faith and God always expect us to pass the test like Job did. Even Samson got lost on the way but he remembered God to ask for strength the last time. Can we trust God with our lives even if we loose everything that matters to us? The bible says in Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  

Many times our decision and actions they betray what God have entrusted us with. We always act as if we are the reel owners for everything we have but we forget that the day I was born I had nothing and the same as the day I die I go with nothing. So who owns what I have? Its God. It all belongs to God. He entrusted us with everything after creating Adam He gave that responsibility to Adam. So when did we become the owners of what we perceive as ours?

God loves us people, that’s why He gave His only son to die for us. He didn’t have to die. He did nothing wrong but He did it for you and me. Jesus died for all to have life and not just life but life in abundance. But everyday we betray the love of God for us. To us it’s nothing that’s why we do what we do. Our God is a loving God. He says in Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, says Jehovah; though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.  This is the love of God. Lets learn to obey what He instructs to do and I tell you He will vouch for you. Look what He says about David. A man after my own heart, 1Sa 13:14 But now your kingdom shall not stand. Jehovah has sought Him a man after His own heart, and Jehovah has appointed him to be leader over His people, because you have not kept what Jehovah commanded you.

Obedience is better that sacrifice so He says.

What is LOVE???

What is love? Umm. Many of us would jump to answer that question even withouth a thought because we believe we know even if i am sleeping. But do we realy understand LOVE? Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13v 3-8 and if i give all my posessions to feed the poor, and if i surrender my body to be burned but do not have love it profits me nothing. Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 LOVE NEVER FAILS.... I have read this passage several times and i always see cracks in my love. This is Love is complete. You cant do 1 part and leave the others. You cant say i give money to the poor and leave the parts which says it is kind. Love is complete. What Paul said are characters or values of Love. I understand that we all created in the image of God and that means we are capable of loving. But why is it that there is high rate of devorce in the world, hatred, unforgivenes, malice, gossip, wars, injustice and a whole lot of staff? I believe there is no Love. God is Love and we should practice love but we cant. Why. Many times we selfish and this drives hatred, unforgivenes, wars and almost everything. God says He resist the proud. Why coz pride is an enemy of Love. Giving does not make u to have love on itself neither is sacrifice. Love is complete. Love never fails and so it wil result in patience, perseverance. It always hopes. Our world today is poisoned with the seeds of the devil. And today we are in total mess coz there is no love. You cant have love if u dont have Jesus coz Jesus is Love. He represents Love in its purity. You cant do what Paul said if you do not have love. Jesus is the only one qualified to tell you what is love. Hope you get time to reflect on your decisions and actions. Love is deeper that tingling of emotions. Its not about kissing. Its not about flowers. Its now about a box of pizza. Its not about whispered words. Love is described by Paul. Probably read this twice every week and pray that God helps you.

We need the sacred | Peter Bolton

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"We would do better the recognise what is sacred in everything in the world

The question: Would we be better off with nothing sacred?

I remember when..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/16/religion) to read the full story

Tweeting God

"What happens when a Methodist minister tries to perform a service of peace and unity over his Twitter feed?

On Saturday night I logged onto Twitter..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/16/religion-christianity-methodist-twitter-service) to read the full story

The Book of Job, part 8 | Alexander Goldberg

"The suffering of Job is something that the Jewish people know only too well. Should we learn hope from it today?

Jews believe in a G-d of History..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/16/religion-judaism) to read the full story

Love your neighbor

This morning the bible says Jesus Christ layed down His life so that we could be free. This was d greatest demostration for His love for humanity. And John says we ought 2 do the same as Christ did.2day we ar suroundd by nids. Our own nids. Would u do the same to set aside your nids and take care of the other people's needs. Jesus comanded us 2 love one another. God loves you. Don't be selfish everyday. Be considerate. Take a moment to think about ths. God bless

Jesus loves you

This morning the bible says Jesus Christ layed down His life so that we could be free. This was d greatest demostration for His love for humanity. And John says we ought 2 do the same as Christ did.2day we ar suroundd by nids. Our own nids. Would u do the same to set aside your nids and take care of the other people's needs. Jesus comanded us 2 love one another. God loves you. Don't be selfish everyday. Be considerate. Take a moment to think about ths. God bless

Obama under fire over support for mosque near Ground Zero

"After a barrage of criticism, president appears to backtrack, saying: 'I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision..."

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The joking is over, it's a new reality for mega-rich Manchester City

"For many years City have been regarded as something of a frivolity but there is a sense that that is about to change

Back in the 1980s Manchester..."

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We must escape the institutions | Theo Hobson

"There is no recognized position of 'non-institutional Christian'. But there ought to be one

The question: Can you keep Christ and give up being a..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/13/religion-christianity) to read the full story

Must Christian life involve religion? | Shirley Lancaster

"We need to rediscover spirituality as an interior journey and this will involve new institutional forms

The question: Can you keep Christ and give up..."

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Must Christian life involve religion? | Shirley Lancaster

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Sent: 14/08/2010 20:41:02
Subject: Snaptu: Must Christian life involve religion? | Shirley Lancaster

"We need to rediscover spirituality as an interior journey and this will involve new institutional forms

The question: Can you keep Christ and give up..."

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The Twitter Bible: Evangelist translates Old and New Testaments into tweets

"From Genesis to Revelation, busy online readers will get the Bible's 800,000-word story in 1,190 short instalments

A Christian evangelist has..."

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Robots don't feel. Why pretend they do? Andrew Brown

"Robots might some day have feelings. But we know today's do not. So why should anyone talk as if they do?

I don't know whether a robot could, in..."

Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/andrewbrown/2010/aug/10/robots-emotion-ethics-philosophy) to read the full story

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Theology is a crucial academic subject | Sophia Deboick

"It's failing to make a case for its survival as university cuts bite. But theology's value as an academic discipline is incalculable

Bangor..."

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BBC E-mail: Malaysia verdict on church attack

khuljor saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you
should see it.

** Malaysia verdict on church attack **
Two Malaysian men are found guilty of setting fire to a church in January in a row over the non-Muslim use of the word 'Allah'.
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/world-asia-pacific-10961282 >

** BBC Daily E-mail **
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My faith is an informed choice | Harriet Baber

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Subject: FW: My faith is an informed choice | Harriet Baber

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Belief is about truth, not feelings | Ophelia Benson

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Sent: 12/08/2010 05:56:16
Subject: Belief is about truth, not feelings | Ophelia Benson

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Sent: 11/08/2010 17:24:45
Subject: Belief is about truth, not feelings | Ophelia Benson

Sent from my Nokia phone Belief is about truth, not feelings | Ophelia Benson

"Belief isn't a wormhole to knowledge about God – it's a cognitive function that should be flexible and open to correction

The question: Can we choose..."

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Snaptu: Islamism, in any form, is a threat | George Readings

"It's impossible to prove that non-violent Islamism always leads to terrorism. But it creates the conditions for violence to arise

It is "logically..."

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The Spirit of Excellence

On many occasions I have flip flopped on excellence in the service to my God. I have slipped in my character, attitude and almost in every area of my life. Come to think about it, the bible says in Daniel 6 v 3 that ‘The GI’ version ‘Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and a prince, because of an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him above the whole realm’.

You know this is an amazing observation on the character of Daniel. Many times I have compromised on the word of God and I always find excuses for everything.  But God is the same yesterday today and forever. His expectation over our lives doesn’t change because we are going through certain issues or challenges you might want to call them.  He told Jeremiah to buy a field for himself in Jeremiah 32 and He was in a dungeon. The first thought for Jeremiah would have been God remove me from this dungeon but God tells him to buy a field and he did it. Many times He was in very difficulty situations but he always obeyed God. This is why God says your thoughts are not my thoughts because what He does and how He does His staff leaves a lot of questions than answers. I want to be favored everyday and I pray so but unless I have this spirit do you think God will listen at me? Never!! I am not stable, double minded the bible says.

Its not because God is punishing us and so He turns a blind eye to our struggles but he loves us so He wants us to know and for that to be imbedded in our minds and hearts that God loves us regardless of our situations. Paul says that ‘all things work for good to those that love the Lord…’ So when I go through whatever I face I should be reminded that God loves me and He will always be there for me. I mean look at Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego they said even if our God doesn’t come for us we will not bow down to your god. They where speaking to the most powerful king at that time in whole world remember. This same spirit I realize was lacking in me and most of us. We are not so repulsive to sin as Jesus was to sin. Everyday we are to lead to compromise on our values that are if we have them hence many of us our characters are questionable.

The question is in my community, my work place, can the unbelieving boss promotes me because they found an excellent spirit in me or I am always like anybody else on any day wavering in my speech and conduct.  Our Lord Jesus called a spade a spade but today a lot of staff have clouded our judgement as Christians. We now classify sins as either small sins or ‘unbelievable’ sins yet sin is sin small or big they are all put in the same boat. They are evil, they separate us from God, period!

God Loves us and our conduct should be outstanding if we are to win souls to Christ, get promoted by God through our unbelieving bosses.

The spirit of excellence will teach me that even when I am washing dishes, sweeping in my house, clothing myself, cleaning the toilet or whatever you can think of I will do it as if I am doing it for God. Imagine if the President is to visit your home, you will definitely give him the best hospitality; it’s the same spirit that should lead us everyday when we are doing our day to day chores. God will definitely honor us for this. I believe this was the same spirit that was in Daniel when He was promoted. Today if you change nations this will be the beginning, yourself. God bless

By Khulekani Jorormani

Christianity and The Constitution Reform In Zimbabwe

Christianity and Constitutional Reform in Zimbabwe.

(No Ratings Yet)

By Sanderson N Makombe

Published: May 6, 2010

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Is Christianity the most practised religion in Zimbabwe? If so, does that make Zimbabwe a Christian nation? Should Zimbabwe be declared a Christian nation in the new constitution or should any other religion be adopted as a state religion?
The impetus to contribute on this topic came when i was going through the Kariba draft constitution. So far it is the only constitutional document that has a clause asserting a religious belief. Both the NCA and the Chidyausiku draft constitutions have no clauses linking the state to a particular religion directly or indirectly. The preamble to the Kariba draft opens by stating ‘We acknowledge the supremacy of the Lord’. Inevitably such a constitutional provision is bound to raise controversy and is subject to different legal and theological interpretations and implications. In this discussion the word Lord is applied as referring to the Christian God.
The current Zimbabwean constitution does not proclaim ‘the supremacy of the lord’ anywhere; neither does it attempt to link a particular religion to the state of Zimbabwe. Reference to God is found only in the Oath of loyalty with the words ‘So help me God’. The oath is taken by senior public officials when taking office and is only an oath of allegiance. It is not compulsory to pronounce ‘So help me God’ as it is only taken in affirmation. However aspects of the Christian religion are evident in the sphere of Zimbabwean public life. In our courts of law before giving evidence witnesses are required to swear by the Bible the truthness of their account. Prominent Christian festivals, Easter and Christmas, are public holidays in Zimbabwe, even though the holidays are better known for social pleasure than the celebration of a religious event .In most schools Bible Knowledge has been a common subject nationwide but its importance has been greatly reduced, with some schools actually scrapping it. On most funeral occasions church leaders preside over the burial of the deceased, just as most do on weddings and marriages .Archbishop Chakaipa presided over President Mugabe’s first inaugural as Prime Minister in 1980 as well as over his wedding to Grace Marufu in 1997.However the absence of official prayers and other religious procedures and leadership at any official government function or meetings points to the fact that religion is not integral to the function of the establishment.
Historical facts point to the fact that before the arrival of the colonialists, present day Zimbabwe practised some form of traditional worshipping, with emphasis on spirit mediums. Christianity was brought about by early missionaries. There is not much written about the role played by main wing Christian establishments during Zimbabwe’s struggle for indepedence.In contrast, reference is made of the role of spirit mediums, notably Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi, and roles played by traditional chiefs like Chief Rekai Tangwena.This does not mean though that religious leaders did not offer any form of support leading to the birth of Zimbabwe.Abel Muzorewa,Rev Ndabaningi Sithole were appointed to lead the struggle when nationalist leaders were incarcarated.Mugabe himself benefited through the works of Fathers Dieter Scholz,Emmanuel Ribero and Sister Mary Acquina who were sympathetic to the nationalist causes. They would eventually also help him to hide and later cross into Mozambique.
Answering the first question in my introduction, it could be very true that Christianity is the dominant religion in Zimbabwe. That fact however does not in itself qualify Zimbabwe as a Christian nation. Neither does the inclusion of the proclamation of the supremacy of the Lord in the Kariba draft. To have a nation founded in a particular religion means that particular religion is the primary and probably the sole basis upon which a national government exists and is structured. It also recognises that there is a higher law than man made law and that law is God’s law, or Biblical Law, which is recognised as supreme in that republic. Christianity becomes the life and soul of the nation, its practise and its existence. To be a Christian is not just by declaration, it is also by deeds. 2 Chronicles 7;14 says ‘If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn way from their wicked ways, I will forgive their sin and heal their land’. There is a reward promised by God for a nation that identifies itself with him. Psalm 33; 12 states ‘Blessed is a nation whose God is the Lord’. It is evidently clear that it is not the constitutional provision that makes a nation Christian, neither the empirical numbers of a practising Christianity.
A nation where a majority statistically are Christians and are in power seeking to emblemish Christian beliefs with government policy can aptly be described as a Christian democracy. However this description does not describe its form of government. Alternative to Christian democracy could be establishment of a theocracy, that is, a nation headed by GOD. It is evidenced that a theocracy is more likely to be autocratic than democratic. Probably the nearest of the existence of such a form cite ancient Israel as the epitome of a theocracy. There is biblical evidence that Israel as a nation was created by God and he excised civil rule over it through his anointed prophets Exodus 24.8. God had a contract with Israel and Psalm 105 vs. 8-10 states ‘he remembers his covenant forever…….the covenant God made with Abraham and his oath to Isaac and confirmed to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant.’ Luke 1; vs. 31-33 makes it clear that only Jesus has the present right to rule as king of Israel as its national civil head concluding ‘he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end’.
There were times that the people of Israel actually rebelled against God’s rule over them and God was well aware of that. In Samuel 8; 7 it is written ‘and the Lord said to Samuel ‘heed the voices of the people in all they say to you: for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them’. In a theocracy like ancient Israel the nation had a legally prescribed religious faith and its civil law prescribed what people must believe about God.In a theocracy, civil punishments are meted out for religious offences, and the national welfare is founded on the maintenance and preservation, or avoidance of a particular faith. Civil privileges are accorded to those who profess the specific religion. No wonder in Zambia just after its proclamation a minister banned non Christians from appearing on national television.
The covenant that Israel has by God is not evident in any other society today and no nation can claim that God rules over its national affairs as its personal civil head of state like in ancient Israel before the monarch.
The nearest we have currently to a theocracy is the Islamic State of Iran. Iran might seem a secular democracy but is not. Power does not reside in the elected officials of the government. The Guardian Council appointed by the Ayatollahs are the supreme leaders. The Council can overturn any law it deems contrary to Islamic laws and tradition. The president is not the most powerful person in Iran; it is the Grand Ayatollah, who remains in charge of the military and the works of the Council. The legal structure actually requires leadership of the government to be muslim.Al Quran and associated Muslim traditions play the role of constitution for the state-the final authority on what is permitted or forbidden. Thus religion is at the cornerstone of the establishments’ life and soul. Civil liberties like sexual preferences, freedom of speech, expression, media, are all interpreted in strict adherence to Islamic law and that law is supreme.
In June 2007 Barack Obama said of the USA ‘Whatever we once were, we’re no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of non believers’. Suffice to say, the USA constitution is secular. There is no mention of God or Christianity. Even the Presidential oath does not contain the phrase So Help Me God. However facets of the Christian faith are very evident in the founding of the USA.Sunday is still observed as a Christian Sabbath, the Ten Commandments are still on the wall behind the Supreme Court Justices when they take the bench and the USA coins still proclaim the motto In God We Trust. Of greater significance is the declaration by President Eisenhower that ‘Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the supreme being is the first, the most basic expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God’s help, it will continue to be’. Independent of an express declaration, does that make the USA a Christian nation? Probably not.
In Zambia on 29 December 1991 Frederick Chiluba officially declared the country a Christian nation at State House. The constitution was duly amended in May 1996 declaring the republic a Christian nation, at the same time upholding the right of every citizen to enjoy freedom of conscience or religion. The same president was later arraigned before the courts for embezzlement of government coffers. The extend of his lavishness was aptly evidenced by his contract with a supplier to furnish him with personalised footware.Nothing he ever did exemplified Christian beliefs of self sacrifice, honesty, truthfulness and integrity.
The legal significance of declaring a nation a Christian nation are vast. One of the dilemna faced is what happens when a non Christian is elected as president? Or does that imply practising Christianity is a requisite for running for office? A president is elected to uphold the constitution, that very constitution which could potentially be discriminatory against his faith or lack of. The interplay of religious teachings and criminal law can be very controversial in an established theocracy. Not every sin is a crime in the ordinary sense. Man made law generally prescribe what is a criminal conduct whereas the bible would prescribe what is a sin .Thus consensual sex by adults outside marriage is not a criminal offence but the same act is a sin according to the bible [fornication].In a society based on theocracy the act will be both a sin and a crime. At the same time homosexuality is a sin according to the bible and would therefore be outlawed in a theocracy. At present homosexuality is not a crime in Zimbabwe though the practise of sodomy is. In a Christian theocracy that act will be outlawed. Blasphemy or any insult towards the state religion will in most cases be a crime, so are a host of other forbidden acts in the holy book. There will be a close relation between morality issues as prescribed by the religion and enforced by law as can be seen in the development of English common law, an aspect likely to cause discomfort in a democracy.
Another problem is how to accommodate a state religion with anti discrimination provisions in the Bill of Rights. Most human rights instruments contain the requirement that no one should be discriminated on the grounds of sex, race, tribe, colour and religion. The current Zimbabwean constitution has this on Section 23.No doubt then that an express provision for a particular faith could be interpreted as discriminatory.
What is the essence of proclaiming God’s supremacy without actually intending to establish a state religion? Sceptics will also point out that the parties to the Kariba draft are not founded on Christian principles which makes the inclusion of the clause astonishing. If ‘Lord’ in that sense mean the Christian God, is that proclamation not discriminatory to other faiths? It is a fact that Zimbabwe is a multi faith society and there is a large populace of those who do not practise any religion at all. Cynics will always argue that there is nothing more fatal in the world than religion and politics mixed together. Therefore to accommodate both in a constitutional clause is actually prescribing chaos and can actually breed fundamentalism.
There are those who hold the opinion that state and religion should always be separated. They argue religious leaders should remain impartial and apolitical for them to retain the respect of the nation. A pro active faith can be an effective voice of the oppressed and provide checks and balances on executive excesses. The danger lies when religious leaders of a particular state religion fail to stand on high moral ground because of the fear of upsetting their political friends, thereby diminishing their role play.
Ethiopia seems to have realised this fact despite its rich historical connections to both Muslim and Christian faith. Its constitution provides for the separation of religion and politics by article 11 which provides:
1. State and religion are separate.
2. There shall be no state religion.
3. The State shall not interfere in religious affairs and religion shall not interfere in state affairs.
Australia’s federal constitution on Section 116 provides ‘ The commonwealth shall not make any laws for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under commonwealth. This provision heavily borrows from the USA constitution 1st amendment Sec 116 which states ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting free exercise off’. This provision has been interpreted by the US Supreme Court to require separation of church from state.
It is proposed here that similar provisions be adopted to clearly separate the state from the church expressly in the constitution and remain secular as it is now

Isaiah 60 v 10-12

Foreigners will build up your walls and their kings will minister to you; for in my wrath i struck you, and in my favor i have compassion on you. 11Your gates will be open continually; they will not be closed day and night, so that man may bring to you wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession.

Many times i felt like giving up cause  i am surrounded by walls which look to be impossible to break out from. I have felt like i am cursed cause everything i touch dies. i have tried planning, strategising researching but it all came to nothing. One thing have carried me all these years, the word of Godlike Isaiah 60.

The testimony of what God has done in the past, the battles i have fought, mountains i have overcome always inspire me to hold to the promise of God. He is a faithful God. He is not like a man that He lies but He fulfills all that He says. So be of cheerful heart God Loves and He is aware of our predicament.