Jeshurun's Mind: Spiritual Food

Churchgoers Ignored the Pleas of a ‘Homeless’ Man; An Hour Later They Cried From Shame.

You won’t believe how this homeless man was treated right outside of a church… what happened next will humble you.


A Pastor transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000-member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service, only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food – no one in the church gave him change.


He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit in the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares, dirty looks, and people looking down on him. As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such.

When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation. “We would like to introduce to you our new Pastor.” The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation. The homeless man sitting in the back stood up and started walking down the aisle. 

The clapping stopped with all eyes on him. He walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment then he recited,

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning. Many began to cry, and many heads were bowed in shame. He then said, “Today I see a gathering of people, not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples. When will YOU decide to become disciples?” He then dismissed service until next week.
Following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ should be more than just talk. It ought to be a lifestyle that others around you can love about you and share in.” Be a Christian all you want, but at least follow the teachings of Christ if you’re going to claim the title.
(Matthew 25:35-45).

Courtesy: http://faithhub.net/homeless-man-gives-church-a-true-meaning

Jeshurun's Mind: My Musings

A taste of Kenyan music

FROM LEFT: Kenyan music artists Juliani, Ecko Dida, Kenrazy, Frasha, and Alice Kamande just before joining Julie Gichuru on Citizen TV's SundayLive. [PHOTO: DENNIS MBAE]

Jeshurun's Mind: Kiswahili na Mashairi

Saratani Twakwapiza 

1. Ewe ugonjwa hatari, mbona hauna huruma?

Katu hautahayari, kitunyang’anya uzima, 

Saratani twakwapiza, jibaidi nasi sote. 

2. Hubagui wa kutesa, mayatima watuacha, 

Watuletea mikasa, hata wakembe mapacha, 

Saratani twakwapiza, jibaidi nasi sote. 

3. Wawahasiri watoto, na watu wazima pia, 

Makaliyo ni ya moto, daima twayahofia, 

Saratani twakwapiza, jibaidi nasi sote. 

4. Tiba yako mno ghali, hata kwao matajiri, 

Kuimudu ni muhali,  ukiwa mburumatari, 

Saratani twakwapiza, jibaidi nasi sote. 

5. Watuacha bila hela, watumiza kila siku, 

Wafaa kufungwa jela, utuondokee huku, 

Saratani twakwapiza, jibaidi nasi sote. 

6. Umefanya tuwe nyuma, hasa kimaendeleo, 

'Meua wenye hekima, tukakosa mema yao, 

Saratani twakwapiza, jibaidi nasi sote. 

7. Uraibu wa sigara, na vileo tuacheni, 

Tusile vilivyo dhara, viletavyo saratani, 

Saratani twakwapiza, jibaidi nasi sote.

(Mshairi: Eunice Kimbiri. Mhariri: Dennis Mbae)

Jeshurun's Mind: Spiritual Food

BIBLE STUDY

 

The word “WORD”

After Jesus’ baptism, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil. When He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was afterward hungry. The Devil, knowing how famished He was tempted Him to command stones to turn into bread if indeed He was God’s Son.

Of course Satan knew who Jesus was. In response to that temptation, Jesus answered:

“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, KJV)

At this point, it is important to ponder over what Jesus meant by every “Word” that proceeds out of God’s mouth. Could it be possible that the word “Word” has a deeper meaning?

Before going any further, let’s look at instances when words proceeded directly from the mouth of God. After that, we will try and ascertain whether those are the words that Jesus was talking about when He said “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Baptism of Jesus

The first instance happened just after Jesus had been baptized by John the Baptist in river Jordan. 

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17, KJV)

Is there any evidence that these were the words that Jesus had in mind when He said “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God?”

The Transfiguration

Let’s take a look at another instance whereby words proceeded directly from the mouth of God.  It was during the transfiguration and Jesus had brought with Him Peter, James and John to a high mountain. 

As Christ was being transfigured before His disciples, Moses and Elijah appeared to them and talked with Him. Peter, in his outspoken nature suggested to Jesus that three tabernacles be made: One for Jesus, one for Moses, and the third one for Elijah. And while Peter was still speaking:

“…behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matthew 17:5, KJV)

It is worthwhile to note that although everyone present heard the words that God the Father spoke, the target audience was actually the three disciples. Peter, John and James were instructed to “...hear ye Him.”

 

Jesus’ Anguish

The last instance we’ll focus our attention on took place when Jesus spoke about the events surrounding His death. Although the Savior’s soul was troubled because He was about to face death, He understood perfectly well that it was for that reason He came to earth.  

“Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (John 12:27-28, KJV)

Word as a Statement

Sometimes in the Bible, the word “Word” refers to a statement as illustrated in the following text:

“For all the law is fulfilled in ONE WORD, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Galatians 5:14, KJV)

When addressing Galatians under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul refers to 7 words (i.e Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself) as one word. He does the same when writing to the Hebrews. In Hebrews 12:25, he exhorts them to accept Christ and heed His voice.

“Whose voice then shook the earth but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.” (Hebrews 12:26, KJV)

In verse 27, Paul summarizes the above underlined 12 words into 3 words “Yet once more” and refers to them as “…this word” in verse 27.

“And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. (Hebrews 12:27, KJV)

Interestingly, the commandments of God are at times referred to as “Word” in the Bible as evidenced in these texts: 

(a) “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (1 John 2:4-5. KJV) 

(b)  “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15, KJV) 

(c)  “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. (John 14:24, KJV) 

(d) “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10, KJV)

 

Conclusion

From the above illustrations, it’s clear that the words “Commandments” and “Word” are synonymous.

Therefore, we can conclude that when Jesus said that….“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, He actually meant that…. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by (every) commandments that proceed out of the mouth of God.”

Jeshurun's Mind: My Musings

The Day I Met Ken Walibora

When I first got to interact with Ken Walibora, it was through my elder sister’s narration of his highly acclaimed Swahili novel, Siku Njema. I was in class 5 then while my sister, Rachael, was in high school. Siku Njema was one of the compulsory Swahili set books that senior students in secondary schools countrywide had to study.

The storyline captivated me so much that I would literary leave whatever I was doing the moment Rachael, in her mellifluous voice, started unfolding the events chronologically. Being a very gifted orator, my sister invariably adopted a smug mien whenever she saw how attentive I was. Eventually, she began taking advantage of the story’s intrigue to get me to do what she wanted. Sometimes, she threatened not to tell me the rest of the narrative if I did not give in to her demands. Her wish became my command. 

 

My elder sister, Rachael.

Remembering Kongowea, Siku Njema’s main character 

I still recall how I almost shed tears when Kongowea, the main character, sat at his mother’s death bed listening to her last words. Until then, Zainabu Makame, Kongowea’s mother, had not revealed to her only child who his father was but now felt compelled to do so. In her final breath and with great difficulty, she disclosed to Kongowea his father’s location (Kitale) and directed him to enquire more information from Bi Rahma, her closest confidant. 

However, Kongowea was confused by his mother’s instruction. He did not understand how his father could be in Kitale because as much as he knew, Kitale was a Swahili word for an immature coconut. He had been born and raised in Tanzania and had never heard of a place known as Kitale located in Kenya. It was through conversing with Bi Rahma, a long while after his mother’s death, that Kongowea learned the truth about his father’s whereabouts.

Reading Siku Njema

A few days after my sister was done narrating Siku Njema to me, she gave me the novel to read on my own. I read it three consecutive times. Studying Siku Njema and learning all the difficult words explained at the back of the book stoked up my passion for Swahili. The fact that I had an ebullient and the most amiable Swahili teacher solidified my foundation in Swahili language. I won many accolades and commanded respect both within and without our school. I was unbeatable when it came to writing Swahili compositions (Insha). 

High School and University Days

My love for Swahili grew deeper as I joined high school and later University. In both institutions, I was an active member of Swahili clubs. It was during my formative days at the University that I resolved to polish my spoken Swahili, partly because it was intrinsic in my course of study: Journalism. I realized that I had to create a Swahili environment of my own simply because majority of the people I interacted with had no penchant for Swahili.

The very first step I took toward perfecting my spoken Swahili was purchasing a Swahili Bible. Besides placing me in a Swahili atmosphere whenever I read it, the Word of God would also nourish me spiritually, as is written in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (King James Version)

I also purposed to be praying in Swahili whenever I was alone with God, and to study as much Swahili literature as I could find in the University’s library.

Meeting Ken Walibora in person

I met Ken Walibora in person last week on Tuesday evening (3^rd June 2014) at Alliance Francaise, Nairobi during the unveiling of his latest book, a play known as “Mbaya Wetu” (Our Evil One). I was in the company of two of my best friends: Job Nassiuma and Millicent Randa.

Ken Walibora addressing the audience during the unveiling of his play Mbaya Wetu, at Alliance Francaise, Nairobi. PHOTO/DENNIS MBAE.

Walibora’s jovial mood made it relatively difficult for him to find the right words to welcome the audience and invite the guest speaker, PLO Lumumba.

“Sometimes, happiness may rob a person words with which to express himself,” he explained. “I’m so glad to see all of you here,” he added.

FROM LEFT: Ken Walibora, PLO Lumumba, and David Muita (The Publisher of Mbaya Wetu), unveiling the play Mbaya Wetu at Alliance Francaise, Nairobi. PHOTO/DENNIS MBAE

Renowned Swahili Scholars

PLO Lumumba reiterated the importance of Swahili language in uniting Kenyans. He took issue with public officials who addressed Kenyans entirely in English especially during official public gatherings such as national holidays.

“During this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, I expected the President to address the Nation in Swahili and finalize his speech with few English words for our visitors’ sake. Unfortunately, that never happened,” he lamented.

Among the important guests who also spoke that evening included Linus Gitahi, the Chief Executive Officer, Nation Media Group, Swahili scholars Abdilatif Abdalla, Professor Said A. Mohammed and Professor Kimani Njogu. Guru Wallah bin Wallah, Kaka Jos (Jack Oyoo Sylvester), and renowned Swahili poets Abdalla Mwasimba and Nuhu Bakari were also present. NTV’s Nimrod Taabu was the Master of Ceremony.

 

NTV's Nimrod Taabu giving guidelines on how the unveiling of Mbaya Wetu will be conducted. PHOTO/DENNIS MBAE

The event was a conspicuous success. I got to speak one on one with some of the most revered Swahili buffs in the East African region and the world at large. I also got to interact with many Swahili enthusiasts with the most notable being a 19 year-old Journalism student from the University of Nairobi by the name Nancy Kemuma.