Jeshurun's Mind: Kiswahili na Mashairi

Siku Ya Vijana Wakubwa Na Wa Marika

Mungu mwenye mamlaka, twakuhimidi Rabana,
Hufanya unavyotaka, hauna wa kufanana,
Roho zetu e Rabuka, kwako twaweka  amana,
Leo siku ya vijana, wakubwa na wa marika.

Pongezini Manasara, mlokongamana hapa,
Hususa nyie vinara, kwa nafasi mlonipa,
Nawaombea busara, mjazwe bila kukopa,
Leo siku ya vijana, wakubwa na wa marika.

Pulikeni niweleze, yaliyomo mtimani,
Rai yangu tujikaze, Injili tuhubirini,
Nguvu zetu tusisaze, hadi tufike mbinguni,
Leo siku ya vijana, wakubwa na wa marika.

Nasema nawe Owiti, uitwaye Imanweli,
Jua si mwingi wakati, wa kueneza Ukweli,
Hivyo simama kititi, uiwaidhi Injili,
Leo siku ya vijana, wakubwa na wa marika.

U wapi ndugu Hagai, nikupe yangu nasaha?
Uliopewa uhai, siufanyie mzaha,
Kifanywa sitihizai, dumisha yako sitaha,
Leo siku ya vijana, wakubwa na wa marika.

Nanena na dada zangu, ninyi Achola na Linda,
Yakiwapata machungu, himilini mtashinda,
Mkimtukuza Mungu, kwenu Yeye ataganda,
Leo siku ya vijana, wakubwa na wa marika.

Waloko ughaibuni, wapewe zangu salamu,
Wambiwe humu nchini, kuwaona tuna hamu,
Twaomba kwake Manani, walindwe na hali ngumu,
Leo siku ya vijana, wakubwa na wa marika.

Ndugu Saya twashukuru, kwa vifijo na kwa kwata,
Umetwangazia Nuru, Neno njema umeleta,
Shetani hatakudhuru, nyotayo itatakata,
Leo siku ya vijana, wakubwa na wa marika.

Iwapo sikukutaja, si kwamba huna maana,
Siwezi nikakuchuja, mimi nakupenda sana,
Wako wengi walokuja, silijui lako jina,
Leo siku ya vijana, wakubwa na wa marika.

Tuyaanzapo Makambi, Rabi tupe nguvu zako,
Yasikilize maombi, ya wanao wa Yeriko,
Uwepushie mawimbi, na yote misukosuko,
Leo siku ya vijana, wakubwa na wa marika.

Kituoni nimefika, nawaaga kwaherini,
Kutamka nimechoka, napisha yenu maoni,
Yesu yuaja kumbuka, hilo tujue yakini,
Leo siku ya vijana, wakubwa na wa marika.

(Mtunzi: Felix Akuku, Jericho SDA Church, NAIROBI. Mhariri: Dennis Mbae).

Jeshurun's Mind: Spiritual Food

God Works With Warriors And Not Cowards

 

Fear Binds

Fear disables and cripples. It sits on people’s potential and completely blinds their vision. As a result, they never get to discover the unlimited abilities in their lives and therefore, they do not make use of them. As a corollary to this, they often find themselves leading unfulfilling, mediocre lives.

Today, multitudes of people are bound by fear. Interestingly, many of the things people fear do not exist at all, neither do they happen according to their anticipation. It is of utmost important to know that fear “is a spirit” which does not come from God.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 2:7 KJV)    

Kinds of Fear

Many kinds of fear exist. One such kind is fear of failure which has held many individuals from starting their own projects or participating in other people’s projects. Fear of rejection has hindered millions of people from initiating formidable relationships. The fear of death has and still continues to torment and paralyze many. Fear of speaking in front of people has suppressed the voices of many, forcing them to remain mum even when they have great ideas or opinions to share with others.

Sadly, fear has stopped many born again Christians from using their spiritual gifts. They have found it extremely difficult to witness and testify of their faith to others, especially those who are not of the household of faith. This has resulted into a lesser number of souls being won for LORD than it should be.

Gideon and his Army

After Gideon was commanded by God to save the Israelites from the hands of the Midianites, he had an army of 32,300 soldiers with him when he pitched beside the well of Harod. Since God wanted the Israelites to know it was Him who gave them victory and not their might or large numbers lest they boast, He commanded Gideon to instruct everyone who was fearful to return home. More than half of the soldiers did so.

“Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead.  And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.” (Judges 7:3, KJV).

According to God, the remaining 10,000 soldiers were still too many. Therefore, He ordered they be brought down to the river to drink water. 

“So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.” (Judges 7:5, KJV).  

Out of the 10,000 men, only 300 lapped, putting their hand to their mouths. These were the ones God used to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites.

“And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. (Judges 7:7, KJV).  

The Cowardly

The cowardly, together with a host of other people, will not inherit God’s Kingdom. In fact, their ultimate end will be in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8, KJV).

Conclusion

An uneducated, untrained person with courage is more valuable to God than an educated, well-trained coward.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13, KJV).

Jeshurun's Mind: Spiritual Food

How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?- Genesis 39:9

It is always a critical period in a young man's life when he is separated from home influences and wise counsels and enters upon new scenes and trying tests. But if he does not of his own accord place himself in these positions of danger and remove himself from parental restraint; if, without will or choice of his own, he is placed in dangerous positions and relies upon God for strength--cherishing the love of God in his heart--he will be kept from yielding to temptation by the power of God who placed him in that trying position. God will protect him from being corrupted by the fierce temptation. God was with Joseph in his new home. He was in the path of duty, suffering wrong but not doing wrong. He therefore had the love and protection of God for he carried his religious principle into everything he undertook.

Joseph's faith and integrity were to be tested by fiery trials. His master's wife endeavored to entice the young man to transgress the law of God. Heretofore he had remained untainted by the corruption teeming in that heathen land; but this temptation, so sudden, so strong, so seductive--how should it be met? Joseph knew well what would be the consequence of resistance. On the one hand were concealment, favor, and rewards; on the other, disgrace, imprisonment, perhaps death. His whole future life depended upon the decision of the moment. Would principle triumph? Would Joseph still be true to God? With inexpressible anxiety, angels looked upon the scene.

Joseph's answer reveals the power of religious principle. He would not betray the confidence of his master on earth, and, whatever the consequences, he would be true to his Master in heaven. Under the inspecting eye of God and holy angels many take liberties of which they would not be guilty in the presence of their fellow men, but Joseph's first thought was of God. "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" he said.

If we were to cherish an habitual impression that God sees and hears all that we do and say and keeps a faithful record of our words and actions, and that we must meet it all, we would fear to sin.

"His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron: until the time that his word came to pass; the word of the Lord tried him". Psalm 105:18, 19, R.V.

Joseph's faithful integrity led to the loss of his reputation and his liberty. This is the severest test that the virtuous and God-fearing are subjected to, that vice seems to prosper while virtue is trampled in the dust. . . . Joseph's religion kept his temper sweet and his sympathy with humanity warm and strong, notwithstanding all his trials. . . . No sooner does he enter upon prison life, than he brings all the brightness of his Christian principles into active exercise; he begins to make himself useful to others. . . . He is cheerful, for he is a Christian gentleman. God was preparing him under this discipline for a situation of great responsibility, honor, and usefulness, and he was willing to learn; he took kindly to the lessons the Lord would teach him. He learned to bear the yoke in his youth. He learned to govern by first learning obedience himself.

Joseph's real character shines out, even in the darkness of the dungeon. He held fast his faith and patience; his years of faithful service had been most cruelly repaid, yet this did not render him morose or distrustful. He had the peace that comes from conscious innocence, and he trusted his case with God. . . .

He found a work to do, even in the prison. God was preparing him in the school of affliction for greater usefulness, and he did not refuse the needful discipline. In the prison, witnessing the results of oppression and tyranny and the effects of crime, he learned lessons of justice, sympathy, and mercy, that prepared him to exercise power with wisdom and compassion. . . . It was the part he acted in the prison--the integrity of his daily life and his sympathy for those who were in trouble and distress--that opened the way for his future prosperity and honor. Every ray of light that we shed upon others is reflected upon ourselves. Every kind and sympathizing word spoken to the sorrowful, every act to relieve the oppressed, and every gift to the needy, if prompted by a right motive, will result in blessings to the giver.

-From Daily Devotional, Singleadventist.com

Jeshurun's Mind: Kiswahili na Mashairi

Duniani Twapita, Manzili Yetu Zayuni

 

Shairi hili ni fungu, la kuliwaza wafiwa,

Mnaohisi uchungu, liwagange kama dawa,

Kwa wafariji wenzangu, lina sifa maridhawa,

Duniani tunapita, manzili yetu Zayuni.

Rambirambi nazituma, kwa Milicenti Randa,

Kadhaka kwa yenu boma, na wote mnaopenda,

Nawaombea uzima, na roho ziso za inda,

Duniani tunapita, manzili yetu Zayuni.

Kakangu Napoleoni, na Adhiambo dadangu,

Nguvu nyingi jitieni, japo mnayo machungu,

Mola atawaauni, enyi wapendwa wenzangu,

Duniani tunapita, manzili yetu Zayuni.

Hakika ninayajua, yalokusibu Ajode,

Na vilevile Joshua, unayeipenda kode,

Angela nafanya dua, sifikwe na adeade,

Duniani tunapita, manzili yetu Zayuni.

Nasaha nawatolea, Akinyi na Dolphini,

Nanyi Samueli pia, Awiti na Liliani,

Ya hayati familia, tafadhali itunzeni,

Duniani tunapita, manzili yetu Zayuni.

Vijana waheshimiwa, kitunga nawavulia,

Kwani hamkuchelewa, mwenzenu kuhudumia,

Pindi mlipofikiwa, na habari ya tanzia,

Duniani tunapita, manzili yetu Zayuni.

Natoa zangu shukrani, kwako sayidi Obonyo,

Kwa nyingi zako hisani, na maneno ya maonyo,

Kwenda kwa Randa nyumbani, ulifwatwa unyounyo,

Duniani tunapita, manzili yetu Zayuni.

Pongezini vijulanga, Nyanchoka na Randiga,

Roho zetu mlikonga, kwa faraja zilonoga,

Akuku pia Wasonga, walizivalia njuga,

Duniani tunapita, manzili yetu Zayuni.

Mkono wa buriani, ameshatupa Aoko,

Maishaye duniani, yamekatiza mauko,

Tusisaili kwa nini, wakaa wa maziko,

Duniani tunapita, manzili yetu Zayuni.

Jeshurun's Mind: Kiswahili na Mashairi

Mawaidha Ya Maisha

Kila siku asubuhi, tumhimidi Jalia,

Daima tumstahi, kwa aliyotujalia,

Kiwemo staftahi, na kujua zake njia,

Ndiye atupaye nguvu, za kutafuta riziki.

Ni muhimu kukazana, katika yetu maisha,

Tena kukazana sana, pasina kulazimisha,

Tutendayo yatafana, na yatatuburudisha,

Tuusahau ugumu, uliokuwepo mwanzo,

Tusiwe walalamishi, kuguna hapa na pale,

Ikiwepo tashiwishi, katika hili na lile,

Tusiuzue ubishi, kwani hatutenda mbele,

Mabishano kizingiti, cha maendeleo mema.

Kila dakika muhimu, tusitumie visivyo,

Tusiandae karamu, kwa mambo yalo ovyo,

Ni busara kufahamu, tufanyapo tutakavyo,

Bila kuwa na mipaka, tutajuta baadaye.

Nakamilisha uneni, wa hili langu shairi,

Kwani nimeshabaini, kulirefusha si vizuri,

Basi shika usukani, nikwachie ushauri,

Utulivu maishani, hutoka kwake Mwenyezi.

(Mtunzi: Ruth Nderitu, Chuo Kikuu Cha Maseno; Mhariri: Dennis Mbae)

Jeshurun's Mind: Kiswahili na Mashairi

Umuhimu Wa Elimu

Elimu ina faida, hivyo jikaze kusoma,

Uwe kaka au dada, uwe baba au mama,

Jihimu kusoma kada, utetee chako chama,

Umuhimu wa elimu, huna kifani mwenzangu.

Uingiapo shambani, itukie hujasoma,

Huwezi kuwa makini, kwenye wako ukulima,

Jembe lako mkononi, litakuwa kiserema,

Umuhimu wa elimu, huna kifani mwenzangu.

Ukitazama angani, kisha uione ndege,

Ndaniye yu rubani, msomi asiye bwege,

Hupaa furufuruni, haendi segemnege,

Umuhimu wa elimu, huna kifani mwenzangu.

Wendapo mahakamani, utampata hakimu,

Ni stadi sheriani, kazi yake kuhukumu,

Alifuzu masomoni, hakuiiza elimu,

Umuhimu wa elimu, huna kifani mwenzangu.

Muda unapougua, wamwendea daktari,

Ambaye hukukagua, hupima ya mwili hari,

Mara yeye hung'amua, iwapo kuna hatari,

Umuhimu wa elimu, huna kifani mwenzangu.

Ufanyapo biashara, pasina bora elimu,

Utaipata hasara, kwa kutojua rakamu,

Walosoma tawahara, kwa kuelewa rajamu,

Umuhimu wa elimu, huna kifani mwenzangu.

Kituoni nimefika, kukujuza ufahamu,

Ya kuwa utadhikika, ukipuuza elimu,

Katu hupati fanaka, ukimbeza mwalimu,

Umuhimu wa elimu, huna kifani mwenzangu.

(Mtunzi: Elizabeth Achuman; Mhariri: Dennis Mbae)

Jeshurun's Mind: Kiswahili na Mashairi

Tuwathamini Wazazi 

Ewe kijana mwenzangu, nataka tusemezane,

Pamoja tupige gungu, yanotuhusu tunene,

Chiraze Mwenyezi Mungu, kadhalika tujuzane,

Kutothamini wavyele, huleta nyingi laana.

Miezi tisa tumboni, kakubeba wako nina,

Ukakaa mle ndani, kuishi ukakazana,

Kakuhuisha Manani, kwa kile kiungamwana,

Kutothamini wavyele, huleta nyingi laana.

Pindi ulipozaliwa, na kuja ulimwenguni,

Mama likupa maziwa, kakulaza kifuani,

Mno ulifurahiwa, wengi walikutamani,

Kutothamini wazazi, huleta nyingi laana.

Ulitokwa na udenda, karibu kila wakati,

Ukavalishwa ubinda, ili haja kudhibiti,

Wakakufundisha kwenda, na kusimama kititi,

Kutothamini wavyele, huleta nyingi laana.

Ulifanyiwa hisani, ukapelekwa skuli,

Wazazi wakajihini, welimike kulihali,

Wangengia izarani, ungeshia kuwa kuli,

Kutothamini wavyele, huleta nyingi laana.

Umeshakuwa mkubwa, sasa wabeza wazazi,

Ulopikiwa ubwabwa, umegeuka bazazi,

Licha ya ulivyobebwa, wawatusi waziwazi,

Kutothamini wavyele, huleta nyingi laana,

Mwenzangu nakuadibu, jiepushie balaa,

Mthamini wako abu, ujitenge na fajaa,

Unazo nyingi sababu, za kuwaonyesha taa,

Kutothamini wavyele, huleta nyingi laana. 

(Mtunzi: Eunice K. Kimbiri; Mhariri: Dennis Mbae)