A prayer of thanksgiving for 2006

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness for us and to all men; (particularly to those who desire now to offer up their praises and thanksgivings for thy late mercies vouchsafed unto them).

We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. 

And we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we shew forth your thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without end.  Amen.

Source:  Anglican Book of Common Prayer.

My book and quotes of the day / week

I rarely publish what I’m reading / I’ve read….but here we go…someone gave me this today…and I loved it. Much of the info I’m sharing here is culled from the book itself as I generally won’t share my interpretation of stuff I read unless I really have to.

UNDERCURRENTS OF ETHNIC CONFLICT IN KENYA – By Dr. John O. Oucho

My best of quotes from the book:

1.  “…ethnic conflict in Kenya was far from spontaneous, to say the least anyhing but spontaneous.  All indications are that it was essentially political, politically charged while it was on, and unsuccesfully resolved by political means.  (But) while the political tag is paramount, and a necessary stance, it is insufficient in unravelling the undercurrents of ethnic conflict in the country.”  pp. 96.

2.  “In sum, one does not need to be an accomplished political analyst to interpret accurately Kenya’s political barometer occasioned by ethnic clashes as a political move to maintain continuity and deny the opposition any chances of assuming leadership.  Nor does one have to be a devil’s advocate to see the political mission of ethnic conflict, namely to place the country in a deceptive sense of emergency in order for those in power to get away with their designs, not least counter decency in the power game.”  pp. 97.

This book (published by the University of Nairobi) analyses the ethnic conflict that engulfed Kenya’s Rift Valley Province at the turn of the nineties when multi-party democratic politics were being re-introduced in the country.

Its central thesis is that ethnic conflict in the country then was a function of several issues, among them ethnocentrism, politics, the land question and criminal behaviour in certain circles.

Both its determinants and consequences are demographic, economic, political and socio-cultural, implying the risks in oversimplifying issues.

An open letter to Pastor Ndura Waruinge

Dear Pastor –

I take it from press reports that you are interested in contesting for the Lang’ata parliamentary seat.

I also take it from similar reports that your candidacy has, in the immediate, occasioned some tensions and loss of life in the said constituency.

As a Lang’ata resident, and also as a Christian (like yourself, if the press reports are to be believed) I wish to inform you as follows:

1. I recognize your constitutional right to contest here.

2. I welcome you to conduct your campaigns here.

In the same vein, I also would like to inform you that I disagree with your politics and the manner in which you are carrying out the same.

Consequently, neither I nor anyone I can influence in this constituency is going to vote for you; the tears of the friends and relatives we have in Kibera have been enough to reinforce our position on this (and I’m no Luo to be saying this).

Then of course there have been several issues, emerging over the period since you began your campaigns here, that continue to beg for more answers than are already in the public domain.

I honestly want to hope you will find the time to both pray and reflect on the nature and substance of your candidacy here.

Jesse.

“PR disasters waiting to happen?”

Close to 10 ex-campus mates, including myself, meet once every so often to critique media and PR trends in the country.

We are bound together by a rather common past, – studied the same major at undergraduate level, reported for the same student newspaper, we maintain more or less similar professional networks and are generally given to some blunt takes on the country’s political situation.

At the moment, my main contribution to our debates is a deliberately uncharitable take on what I consider to be flawed media strategies by both the government and the opposition.

“XXXXX is a PR disaster waiting to happen.  I won’t touch him / her, not even with a long pole,” is my common refrain.

Listening to my buddies defending some politicians, I would pay anything to have them join Alistair Campbell in the hatchetman’s Bible 🙂

That said, I do not see myself endorsing anyone for the presidency ahead of the 2007 General Elections just yet.

I, however, hold a select few of our politicians in high esteem; I’ll be blogging about that some time.

*****

 A Mr. Moses Opado has written seeking my assistance in locating a Mr. George O. Okongo.

I imagine either Mr. Okongo or his buddies browse(s) the net and might somehow locate this poor attempt at blogging on my part, as I have no other way to assist Mr.  Opado.

George, Moses says he’ll be in Kenya next March and would like see you.  Si ufanye mpango ili you meet?  

P.S:  Does someone realize the commercial possibilities that exist in Mr. Opado’s request?  I mean – the “I’m looking for someone” kind of thing out of which you could make some bucks via some web forum or such.  Just thinking aloud.  

From Ghana, with some great stuff (part VII)

Click here.

Jenkins’ latest thoughts on global Christianity

This, and that.

Utamu wa kuzungumza na ndugu Mtanzania

Leo asubuhi nilipata nafasi kuzungumza na rafiki yangu mmoja toka Tanzania.  Huu hapa mukhtasari wa mazungumzo yetu.

MIMI: Ah kamanda, za siku nyingi?
YEYE:  Salama kabisa mkubwa.  Habari ya huko
MIMI: Mwenzako sijambo. Nashukuru tu.  Sijui wewe?
YEYE: Hata huku mambo ni mazuri kabisa ndugu.  Vipi mradi wenu, unaendeleaje?
MIMI: Uhhmn.  Mradi upi – nikumbushe kidogo hapo.

YEYE: Wa Mzalendo au wewe huhusiki nao?
MIMI: Oh, huo.  Sihusiki, ingawa wanaofanya hayo ni wanablogu wenzangu.
YEYE: Ok. Na ule wa KBW?
MIMI: Ule wa KBW – mimi ni member / mhusika; sihusiki na usimamizi wake kwa namna yoyote ile.
YEYE: Ok.  Mmepiga hatua wenzetu hata hivyo.  Sisi ndio kwanza tunajikongoja kuunda jumuiya.
MIMI: Ninafwatilia kwa karibu mijadala ambayo mmekuwa nayo siku za hivi karibuni.  Nafurahishwa sana na bidii na ukakamavu wenu.  Ndugu Jikomboe amekuwa akitupasha habari kupitia blogi yake.
YEYE: Tunajitahidi sana ila mgongano wa kimawazo ni mkubwa sana.
MIMI: Mgongano? Yaani wamaanisha tofauti za kimtazamo?
YEYE: Lakini nadhani ni vyema kukawa na mgongano wa mawazo wa namna hiyo sababu mkifanikiwa kuudhibiti na kuunda Jumuiya hiyo mnakuwa na kitu madhubuti sana.
MIMI: Kweli kabisa.  Vipi habari za Richmond na umeme  Nazisoma magazetini tu.
YEYE: Usanii wa hali ya juu kamanda.  Simulizi za umeme zinatia kinyaa kuzisikia yaani hata magazeti siku yakiandika habari za umeme hayauziki siku hiyo huwezi amini.
MIMI: Mvua ilianza kuwapigia wapi?  I mean – kuwanyea.
YEYE: Unajua serikali hii ilikuja na ahadi nyingi sana, haikuwa na vipaumbele katika kukabiliana na matatizo ya wananchi na haya ndio matokeo yake, yaani wanataka kufanya kila jambo kwa wakati mmoja, barabara, umeme, maji, shule, chakula, kilimo n.k.
MIMI: Uhhmn, pupa, eh!
YEYE: Sasa inakuwa ngumu, wamejikuta wameshindwa sasa, ndio maana hata jamaa wanawachezea kila siku, leo wanaingiza mtambo mnategemea kuwa ahueni inakuja kumbe kesho wanatangaza tena kuongezeka kwa masaa ya mgao wa umeme.
MIMI: Uchungu ulioje hapo. Na je, yale majibwa ya upinzani yasemaje?  Hayana makali bado, eh!
YEYE: Wamekaa kimya tu.  Hawajui hata waanzie wapi kusema nadhani, japo kwa hali ilivyo hata wakisema inakuwa kazi bure.  Hata vyombo vya habari wajua haviwapi uzito siku hizi, vilishamwingiza jamaa madarakani sasa haviwezi hata kufanya assesment na kumkosoa.
MIMI: Wajua, hivyo ndivyo mambo yalivyokuwa huku kwetu.
YEYE: Yeah, nakumbuka
MIMI: Vyombo vya habari, haswa kundi fulani hapa, lilisaidia upinzani kuingia maradakani kwa kiasi kikubwa.
YEYE: Matokeo yake ndio wanashindwa hata kumnyooshea kidole sasa, maana wanaogopa kusutwa na wananchi kuwa waliwadanganya.

MIMI: Upande wa pili, kuna kundi la lingine ambalo kabla ya Kibaki, lilimpa mkono wa msaada mzee Moi sana.  Tangu 2003, kundi hili limejitwika jukumu la kumkosoa Kibaki, kiasi cha kumkera sana wakati mwingine.  Na kadri siasa za Kenya zinavyochukua mwelekeo na mkengeuko mpya kila kukicha, ndivyo pia vyombo vya habari vinajibadili hapa na pale.
YEYE: Lakini wanachosema si kweli?
MIMI: Ukweli upo hapa na pale.
YEYE: Kinachotatiza huku kwetu ni kuwa kila gazeti lilikuwa upande wa JK, kiasi kwamba hadi sasa hakuna linaloweza kuthubutu kumnyooshea kidole.  Hata Free Media ambayo ni ya Mbowe, aliyekodi helikopta huko kwa ajili ya kampeni hawawezi kusema kitu ati.
MIMI: Ah, Mbowe alikodi ndege ya yule bwana Nyachae, mmoja wa mabwenyenye wa Kenya.  Na Reginald Mengi je? Hamna sauti huko?
YEYE: Huyo ndio kabisaaa kabakia kujiandika miradi yake mwenyewe kwenye vyombo vyake
MIMI: Debe tupu hutika sana, wajua tena
YEYE: Ndio ilivyo.  Wanaenda nje leo wanaahidiwa mvua za kupandikiza, wanakuja wanatutangazia meno yote nje, wanatuona wajinga sana kiasi kwamba hatuwezi hata kuchambua gharama za miradi kama hiyo.  Wao wanachekelea tu sababu wanajua lazima kuna 10% kwenye ulaji kama huo.
MIMI: Wanikumbusha sana yule bwana, – Hussein Mohammed.
YEYE: Leo wameenda sijui wapi huko wameahidiwa umeme wa upepo, wanachekelea tu, hatujasikia wakikusanya wataalamu wa humu nchini kujua kama unawezekana na gharama yake itakuwa na madhara gani kwa uchumi wa nchi.
MIMI: Yeye na pia Mohammed Said Mohammed bila ya kumsahau Shaaban bin Robert na wenzao.  Falsafa yako iko pale pale nao, – kuwa uongo wa wengi wanaotawala barani Afrika umekithiri kiasi cha haja.
YEYE: Kwakweli.  Wajua mie nimesomea mazingira, na hata uandishi wangu ni wa mazingira zaidi huku kwenye siasa nilijiingiza tu basi sababu ni sehemu ya maisha
MIMI: Uhmn.
YEYE: Hivi wanawezaje kutuambia kuwa wanaweza kunyunyiza mawingu Mtera kisha mvua inanyesha pale wakati Mtera iko ukanda wa kati ambako kuna upepo pengine kuliko sehemu zingine za nchi?
MIMI: We bwana wasahau upesi kuwa miujiza hufanyika Afrika? 🙂
YEYE: Duh!! Huenda sisi ndio tungekuwa wa kwanza. Kuna mradi wa maporomoko ya maji mahali Iringa, ulishafanyiwa upembuzi toka miaka ya 70, umeachwa hadi leo hii wanatuletea habari za mvua za kupandikiza na umeme wa upepo.
MIMI: Ha! Ha! Ha!
YEYE: Huko kwenyewe wanakouchukulia huo ujuzi hawatumii huduma hizo kama za msingi bali za dharura tu.
MIMI: Ndiyo mojawapo ya maajabu ya bara letu.  Sijui iwapo wamkumbuka Karama?
YEYE: Sijui tutaendelea lini kwakweli.  Karama yupi?
MIMI: Karama – Yule mhusika mkuu kwenye diwani ya Shaaban bin Robert – KUSADIKIKA?
YEYE: Yeah, namkumbuka na mikasa yake
MIMI: Zaidi ya hiyo mikasa, kulikuwa na wasifu tatu.  Wasifu ulomtofautisha na waziri mkuu.
YEYE: Wajua tungekuwa na watu wenye mawazo ya akina Shaaban Robert kama kumi tu hapa duniani, wakatiwa chache na akina Nyerere, Mandela na Samora kama kumi nao, dunia ingekuwa nchi ya ahadi.
MIMI: Umenena kweli.  Karama – Alikuwa na bongo la hekima, moyo wa ushujaa, na ulimi wa nasaha. Hizo ni baadhi ya wasifu ambao kiongozi afaa kuwa nazo.
YEYE: Viongozi wetu wa sasa pia wana sifa hizo.   Wana Bongo za wizi, Moyo wa kutetea maovu na uonevu, na Ndimi za unafiki kwa kiwango kisichomithilika.
MIMI: Mcheshi wewe!
YEYE: ndio hali halisi.  Wajua saa zingine mtu unaweza kujiuliza hivi kwanini ulizaliwa sehemu kama hii?  Lakini baadaye unajijibu kuwa Mungu alikuwa na sababu zake kukufanya uzaliwe mahali kama hapo, kwa maana wewe ndiye unatakiwa kupiga kelele kubadili hiyo hali
MIMI: Kweli kabisa.  Ajabu ni kuwa licha ya tofauti zetu za kidini, tuna uwiano mkubwa wa kimaantiki hapa.  Una bongo zuri ndugu.
YEYE: Ukiangalia sana viongozi wetu sasa wanasifia mashujaa waliokuwepo awali, lakini hawafanyi jitihada zozote katika kutengeneza mashujaa wa kesho au keshokutwa, na hili likimaanisha kuwa wanawekeza katika kuua mataifa yao.  Wanapalilia mazingira ya ukoloni mwingine siku zijazo
MIMI: Ukoloni mamboleo – hiyo ni injili kama ilivyoandikwa na Hussein.  Nakubaliana nawe.
YEYE: Wanajenga mazingira na madaraja baina ya waliosoma na kubahatika kwenda nje na wale wasiojua chochote, matokeo yake wanaoitwa wasomi wetu ndio hao wamekuwa wakiingia mikataba ambayo inawaumiza wananchi kila kukicha na ikifika wakati masikini ambao hata hawakusaini mikataba hiyo wameshindwa kujikamua ili kulipia madeni ya wapuuzi wachache waliosaini mikataba ya kilaghai, ndio hapo nchi nayo itabinafsishwa
MIMI: Mwandishi Achebe, katika kitabu chake THE TROUBLE WITH NIGERIA, asema kuwa viongozi wa aina hiyo ndio wanaonajisi nchi zao kisiasa, kijamii na kiuchumi kisha wanapozungumza hadharani, wazisifia nchi zao kwa kusema “taifa letu tukufu.”  Ni kinaya kilichoje.  Wao ndiyo wanaamua ni nani atakuwa mzalendo na kwa kigezo cha aina gani.  Kimsingi, ni maoni yangu kuwa itabidi kizazi chenu kizingatie hatima ya TZ zaidi na baada ya JK.  Na siyo JK tu, ila pia wote ambao ni viongozi kwa wakati huu.  Na hiyo ni changamoto iliyo mbele ya kila taifa barani Afrika.
YEYE: Kweli kabisa.  Nitakukimbia baada ya muda kidogo kamanda
MIMI: Sawa ndugu.
YEYE: Nadhani tunaweza kuwasiliana baadae tena kama muda utapatikana
MIMI: Nashukuru kwa gumzo ambayo tumekuwa nayo.  Nimefurahi sana.

YEYE: Salamu kwa ndugu zangu wote wa ulimwengu wa blogi nchini Kenya.  Najua ipo siku mtafanya mapinduzi makubwa sana.
MIMI: XXXXXXXXXX ndiyo namba yangu iwapo utajipata Kenya wakati wowote.  Mapinduzi yaja kwa wakati wake.

Though clergymen disappoint, Nativity story doesn’t

Having had a fairly intimate knowledge of the Kenyan / African Christian landscape in the few years I have been on this planet, there are three things I now feel qualified to say about Kenyan clergymen: one, they can disappoint; two, they can dissapoint; three, they can disappoint.

See, some Christian lady at Numetro thought it wise to pre-screen the Nativity story to a select audience of Christian leaders in the city / country before releasing it to wider viewership in the following days.

No doubt she was conscious of the commercial success that could follow from the endorsements such leaders often come with.

That it’s easy to mobilize such leaders around an idea is one of the worst-kept secrets in town; there is too much national history in our collective memories to evidence this.

But what happens today?

Only some young theologian contemporary of mine shows up, with myself in tow (having come on his invitation).

And not that she hadn’t worked her networks to rope them along into this.

I still fail to understand why they gave it such a wide berth, seeing as most of us do that penetrating conversations on popular culture with the credibility of the Gospel is really the way to go these days.

That notwithstanding, I can say the film was worth my time: It’s faithful to Scripture, maintains a honest and dedicated interaction with the socio-economic and political historical context of the times under consideration and yes, it is indeed a truly human way to potray the humanity of God in His incarnation.

There is much fulfillment and intimacy here for the movie lover; you won’t even need the popcorns.

It is a great film, – that’s the much I’ll say from the much I studied about television, films, Christianity and media culture in my undergrad days.

Be sure to watch it for Christmas.

“A prophetic word to the Church worldwide”

*Personal note:  I received this on Sartuday, Dec. 2.12.06.  Am passing it on as it is.  As always, my publishing this on my site is not necessarily an endorsement of it.  I counsel personal discernment on the part of every Christian and a commitment to test every spirit in light of Scripture in these heady end times.  I remain open to affirm God’s work in and through anyone else out there on the same basis.  Jesse. 

By THEODORE ALUOCH

READ THIS URGENTLY IF YOU ARE CRYING FOR REVIVAL TO COME TO YOUR LIFE, CHURCH, OR CITY.

THERE IS A CRY FOR REVIVAL A CRY FOR REVIVAL TO COME, REVIVAL HAS BEEN RELEASED ON THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE EARTH BUT THE LORD LACKS MEN TO WALK IN IT, HE TOLD ME THAT THE FULLNESS OF IT HAS BEEN RELEASED ON THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE EARTH, BUT HEAVEN LACKS MEN TO  WALK IN IT.

HE TOLD ME THAT THESE THINGS HAVE KEPT THE CHURCH FROM IT,

1. PRAYERLESSNESS IN THE CHURCH

2.LACK OF PRACTICAL LOVE, THERE IS ALOT OF MOUTH LOVE, LOVE WITH MOUTH WITH NO ACTION

3. MATERIALISM- SEEKING STUFF INSTEAD OF SEEKING HIM,SEEKING THINGS FROM HIM INSTEAD OF SEEKING HIM FIRST-OVER EMPASIS OR EXTREME UNBALANCED PREACHING ON PROSPERITY,PREACHING TOO MUCH ABOUT MONEY WITHOUT HOLINESS, PREACHING TOO MUCH ABOUT SEEDS THAN THE BLOOD OF JESUS AND REPENTANCE

4.CARELESSNESS WITH THE THINGS OF GOD, DISOBEDIENCE TO GODLY AUTHORITIES AND DISOBEDIENCE TO GODS CALLINGS IN INDIVIDUALS LIVES

5. LACK OF DISCIPLESHIP IN CHURCHES, WHICH PRODUCE IMMATURE CHRISTIANS,BABY CHRISTIANS WHO CANNOT DISCIPLE THEIR OWN DISCIPLES.

6.LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF GIFTINGS, MEN OPERATING IN OFFICES NOT MEANT FOR THEM(FIVE FOLD MISFITS) AND BECAUSE OF LACK OF TEACHINGS, THE TEACHING,PROPHETIC MINISTRY, HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT BY THE CHURCH, LEADING TO DESCEPTION OF FLOCKS

7. THE CHURCH SHOULD SEEK HIM ONLY,SEEK HIS GLORY, SEEK HIS PRESENCE ONLY, SEEK HIS KINGDOM, DESIRE MORE OF HIM SEEK HIS A NOINTING ONLY INTIMACY,EMPTYING OF SELF AND BEING FILLED WITH HIM, AND ACCEPTABLE  WORSHIP, THEN THE GLORY WILL FALL.

THE LORD HAS SAID IF THE CHURCH WILL REPENT OF THESE THINGS WORLDWIDE, GENUINELY WITH ALL OF THEIR HEART, THEN HE WILL POUR HIS  SPIRIT ON EARTH IN THE FULLNESS OF IT, IF NOT THEN REVIVAL WILL CONTINUE TO TARRY, HE TOLD ME TO GO TO THE NATIONS AND TELL OF THESE THINGS, PLAINLY AND WITHOUT COMPROMISE, TO THE CHURCHES AND PRAY WITH THEM TO SEE THIS COME TO PASS. CHURCHES THAT REFUSE WILL BE DEFLOCKED, AND THE SHIFT WILL BE HOME CELL MEETINGS AND SMALL GROUPS.

HE ALSO WARNED ME THAT MANY PASTORS AND CHURCHES WILL MISS THIS OUTPOURING BECAUSE OF PRIDE, SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS, IGNORANCE, AROGANCE AND RELIGION. BUT HE SAID THOSE WHO WILL TAKE IT IN LIKE ACHILD AND REPENT BECAUSE THEY KNOW HIS VOICE THE VOICE OF THE HOLYSPIRIT, THEY WILL SEE HIS GLORY FALL.  if YOU WOULD LOVE FOR ME TO COME AND VISIT YOUR CHURCH, AND SHARE THIS WITH YOU  AND PRAY FOR OR WITH YOU, TO SEE IT COME OVER YOUR CHURCH, YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT

PROPHET THEODORE ALUOCH

LATTER RAIN HEALING STREAMS MINISTRY

jghm226@yahoo.com, or theodore@bornagain.com

Prayer of Hope

Via The Diakonia Council of Churches in South Africa

God of Hope
All of us are affected by HIV/AIDS.
At this time of Advent Hope,
As we prepare for the coming of your son into this world
We give thanks for signs of hope.
For growing understanding
For medical advances
For changing attitudes and behaviour
For greater awareness and concern in your church.
God of Unity
Bind us together with strong ties of love
That this church community may be a place where
All can find acceptance,
May it be a place of welcome for all affected by HIV/AIDS.
May it be a place where care is given and received, especially for affected children and youth,
Where stories are told and heard,
Where fear is overcome by love,
Where you are to be found. Amen.