It has been a while since my last blog post. I have not had time to sit and jot down my thoughts. Being the last day of 2014, I am compelled to put out one last post for this year. A year I cannot wait to end and usher in a new year. It is the last day of 2014 and in a few hours...actually less than 3 hours, it will be 2015. It is already 2015 in Australia, it is the year 5775 in the Hebrew calendar and China will usher the new year on 19th February,2015. It almost seems that life has been reduced to arbitrary numbers scattered all over the world. You see, our lives are defined by these numbers. Your birthday is a date and your death will be yet another date. Dates that will be remembered by your loved ones for a long time.
For the better part of the last decade, every new year had a theme. Two thousand and FIVE (2005) was a year to THRIVE. 2007 was the year of perfection, 2008 was the year of new beginnings and so on. For a while I waited to hear what the theme of the year would be so that it could define the year. Like most people, I usually start the year with renewed passion and a list of goals I would like to accomplish in the year based on a revealed truth. Obviously, somewhere in February, life reverts to its normalcy and becomes mundane. I realized that life is what you make it to be. You decide your own destiny. Unlike other years though, 2014 never quite started for me. I never felt it start and this feeling did not quite leave me till now. It has been an unforgettable year on so many levels for me. This is the year that I lost my only surviving parent, my dad and I remember a time like this last year telling my dad that he will make it to 2014. Indeed, he did but only for 23 days. It has since been a bag of mixed emotions for me. It is the year also that I changed my status from being a 'married' bachelor to a 'full-time' married man. Sylvia, my wife and reader of my blog was living far away from me till the eve of our 1st wedding anniversary. A long distance marriage we had. A difficult season. I am grateful that the year is over and a new year beckons.
Apart from the loss of my dad and my long distance marriage, 2014 had other notable events for me. I particularly loved watching the world cup. It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of life. I was particularly interested in #TeamHolland managed by LVG who was the next Manchester United manager after the abyssal reign of David Moyes. The world cup was really good. I also had a great time being part of AFLEWO events in Nairobi, Nakuru and Mombasa. AFLEWO 2014 Nairobi will be remembered for having Dr Myles for the last time in Kenya. It is still fresh in my mind. That was an oasis for me in an otherwise mediocre year.
I am glad 2014 is over and for that I will even blog about it. It feels for me that today marks the end of a season and the beginning of a new one. Someone once said that every trial has an expiry date and today is the expiry date of my trials. I am counting down to a new beginning. I am looking forward to 2015. A great year awaits me. One of my Facebook friends recently wrote that they are done flirting with greatness. That captures exactly my sentiments for 2015. I invite you to a journey of greatness this coming year. To help me achieve this, I have come up with two things to reach for this year.
I have purposed to Pray More in 2015. EM Bounds said, 'We can do nothing without prayer. All things can be done by importunate prayer. It surmounts or removes all obstacles, overcomes every resisting force and gains its ends in the face of invincible hindrances'. As a Christian, you cannot afford to live without prayer. 2015 will be a year of prayer for me. I will pray more than I have prayed before.
On top of prayer, I have to Read More in 2015. Great leaders are great readers. If you aspire to become a leader, you must read more. Study the Bible more, read more books, academic or otherwise. I hope to read at least a book a month, 12 books by the end of 2015.
These two things will be the the pillars of my year in 2015. Everything else flows from the two. Reading will lead to other actions and with much prayer, there will be much power. You must be willing to pay the price for greatness. Greatness is not handed on a silver platter, it is pursued relentlessly until it is achieved. Paul says, I press on to the mark of the high calling. 2015 is my year of my high calling so I will press on till I get it. 2015 may not be the year that I get to live my full potential but it will be the year that I will do my part. I will not leave my destiny to chance but I will take charge.
What will 2015 be for you? Decide and pursue it. It will be a long 365 days but let us keep the passion and when novelty ends, let purpose prevail. 2014 is over and welcome to 2015, a blank book yet to be written.
Wednesday, 31 December 2014
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
Why I love Manchester United!
Manchester United. The name speaks for itself. We could end this conversation here but allow me to indulge you with one of my passions. I am sure I have lost some of you there. The club insignia invokes such passion and vitriol in equal measure. The club badge is the most recognized in the world. It is the universal symbol of success. Of course the haters would not agree but facts do not lie. Most successful team in England and it is in England that football matters. It is a good day to blog about Manchester United. Sitting at number three in the premier league despite the naysayers. Somehow the results keep coming even with a shambolic defense, lackluster performances and the haters keep getting miffed. I am absolutely delighted by the clubs fortune. Surely after last season, the club needed some luck. The question is, how long does this continue? It won't matter to me because I am not a glory seeker and I will stand with the club in glory times and the not so glory times.
 |
| The crowning moment as a United fan Enter Jose Mourinho, the man I will remember for running the touchline at Old Trafford with his rookie Porto team marching on to the 2004 Champions League title. What a way to announce your entry at the world's grandest stage. Old Trafford. The theatre of dreams. Jose went on to Chelsea and built a team that would become the new rival to Manchester United. It is the only team in England I consider as a true rival to Manchester United success. The phenomenon that is Jose is a man that you love to hate but give all your respect to. The man simply is a genius. A tactical genius and wherever he goes success follows him. It is a pity he is not a Manchester United manager. |
After the treble of 1999, the team went into decline and SAF knew he had to build a new team to challenge again especially with the emergence of the Roman Chelsea empire. The likes of Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Solskjaer had all come to their career's end. Ruud Van Nistelrooy was acquired but he was part of a transitioning team. For a few seasons, the club was trophy-less but SAF built a team that comprised of a burgeoning Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. That was a devastating attack and was dubbed the 'holy trinity'. It blew away every opposition and became champions of Europe on that rainy night in Moscow. It was a proud day to be a fan of Manchester United. It stands out as one of my highlights.
 |
| UEFA Champions League Winners 2008 |
 |
| The 'holy' trinity of Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo |
May 2012 and it was d-day to determine the winner of the premier league. United were away at Sunderland and level on points with Manchester City who were hosting QPR. For 92 minutes, United had wrapped its 20th league title by winning 1 nil until Sergio Aguero with the last kick of the season stole the title from Manchester United and the 'noisy' neighbours had finally become noisy. It was heartbreak of untold proportions. I will not forget that day and all those against Manchester United had their field day. The unthinkable happened. United lost the title on goal difference. SAF was enraged understandably and went and signed one Robin Van Persie wearing jersey number 20 clearly targeting that elusive 20th league title. It was impossible to imagine that Arsenal would sell their top striker to United but SAF made it happen. He was looking for goals and goals he got. RVP became our MVP and sealed the 20th league title with a hat-trick against Aston Villa with four games to spare. It was a title won convincingly and not on goal difference. The title was won with a record margin of 11 points. On the last day of that season (2012/13) SAF managed United for the last time and rode into the retirement sunset a winner although his last game finished 5-5 against Westbrom.
A day to remember. A tribute to the legend. 26 years had finally come to an end.
Perhaps the one manager that got one two many over SAF other than Mourinho was Pep Guardiola. He simply inherited a brilliant Barcelona team with the best players in the world and no team would match them. It is unfortunate that the two managers would not go toe to toe now with SAF retired. Two times, Barcelona beat Manchester United in the Champions League final. Barring the brilliance of Xavi, Iniesta and Lionel Messi, United would have won more Champions League titles. It is okay to be number two when you know number one is better than you. Barcelona was such and SAF acknowledged this. SAF was able to make ordinary players like Michael Carrick, Wes Brown, etc look extra ordinary. He made them compete with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta. That is a motivator par excellence.
Ask any United fan and they would tell you their biggest fear was losing SAF. After sealing a 20th league title in emphatic fashion, SAF said that he would continue to make United even better. A few days later, social media was rife with news that SAF had decided to retire. As is the case these days, when you see it on social media, it is as good as confirmed and SAF declared his retirement. Another dark day in the life of a United fan, It was dreadful to imagine what would happen to United next. Whoever was to replace him would find it impossible to emulate him. They would fail before they even start.
Enter David Moyes, the chosen one by none other than SAF and he had the unenviable task to lead United to yet another title or at least maintain the standards that had been set. He began so well with a community shield trophy followed by a 4-1 thumping of Swansea with RVP getting a brace. 10 months later, all records United held came tumbling down and United failed to qualify for the Champions League. 'How the mighty had fallen!' The pundits and the newsmakers had written the obituary of Manchester United. It was even more insulting to predict that United would go the Liverpool way and become a 'history' club. I feared for the worst but as a MUFC fan I was obliged to stand with the club. The words of SAF would ring in my ears when it became too much to bear: "I'd also like to remind you that when I had bad times here the club stood by me. All my staff stood by me, the players stood by me, you stood by me, and your job now is to stand by our new manager. That is important." We stood with the club but not the manager. David Moyes was fired on Twitter before officially been shown the door by the novice Ed Woodward. The Chosen One had become the Rejected One. As a fan, I bayed for David's blood when record after record went tumbling. I had never seen a man so hated, I pitied the man. David was a good man, a good manager, an average manager. United needed a world class manager and David was not. It was that simple. David would fit well in an average team and guide the team to become a more than average team but he could not manage the champions of England. That was way above his pay grade. For all SAF's brilliance, this was a blot that would not be forgotten. Maybe he wanted to cement his legendary status by appointing a mediocre manager he knew would make him look great. Maybe. The only silver lining to David Moyes 'error' was that he managed to beat Arsenal at home and avoid defeat at the Emirates. What a fete for the man who had previously not achieved it with his teams.
Fast forward to today and United have LVG, a world class manager who is tasked with taking United back to its glory. He even got an angel by the name of Angel Di Maria to exorcise the devils of David Moyes. It would seem that he is on the right track. SAF had spoiled us with success and success is the minimum requirement in this business.
 |
| Louis Van Gaal posing with new number '7' signing Angel Di Maria |
I cannot finish without mentioning the players that have graced Old Trafford and cemented my love for the club. Obviously Cristiano Ronaldo better known as CR7 is one such player who makes you proud to be associated with Manchester United. He is, according to me, the best player in the world. Period. His services to the club will never be forgotten. David Beckham the other number 7, was a player with immense talent as well and those assists would never be forgotten. Ryan Giggs, What can I say about this freak of nature. Played for United all his life and broke every barrier possible. Knighthood awaits him. Paul Scholes, the hard tackler and the pin pointer shooter. What a player! Eric Cantona, the legend, another number 7. He was the player that brought swag to the team. He was just pure finesse and who would ever forget that quote he gave, 'When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea'. I never saw him play but George Best is clearly a legend. As they say in Belfast, his birth town, 'Pele good, Maradona Great, George Best'. My all time best first eleven is: Van Der Sar. Garry Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ruud Van Nistelrooy. I watched all these guys play and in their prime they were devastating. I hope to get update this eleven in the future with even better players.
I have followed United with a passion and continue to do so and hopefully I will transfer this passion to my offspring. It is a travesty I have not visited Old Trafford nor met the legend SAF. It is in my bucket list to at least get to do one of the two with the former being more realistic. When that day comes, I will update this blogpost with that experience.
I leave you with this quote from Eric Cantona. Most parts of this quote are not true and I say this before my wife Sylvia without any fear of contradiction but the sentiment is clear.
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
R.I.P MYLES MUNROE
Yesterday 9th November, 2014 the world lost a true mentor, teacher and a great man. Dr Myles Munroe and his wife perished in a tragic air crash in his homeland Bahamas among 7 others. I woke up to an email from my CEO Julian Kyula informing us of the tragic death. The news of his death sent chills down my spine. I ransacked the internet to get more information of the crash as my mind could not process that the man I had seen a few weeks ago was no more. As I write this, I am still thinking this might be a bad dream but since yesterday, every news item has confirmed this. It has been an interesting year with deaths that have left us with tremendous sense of loss. I mourned my dad earlier this year, I was in shock to hear of Peter Kaberere's death, last week Bishop Bahati went to be with the lord and now Dr Myles has departed from us. What a year it has been! Each death mentioned has had a major impact on me as it has left me with more questions than answers. Years ago I read a book by Dr James Dobson titled, ' When God doesn't Make Sense'. I was pretty young then and had never experienced such emotions. As years have gone by, I have gone through stuff that left me wondering whether God does exist.
Every time I listened to Myles or read his books, he would leave me with a hunger for more. The other day Kenya was treated to the shenanigans of one 'Dr' Kanyari and for an entire week, he was a trending topic. I watched the exposé and was disgusted as every body else. What caught my attention though was Kanyari claiming that he was a form two drop out yet he called himself a doctor. He claimed his knowledge came from God. He said this with such pride and I remember telling my wife that there was nothing to be proud about when saying such things. It is sad that we have come to associate men of God with low levels of education and this has inhibited our influence as a church. The church cannot be taken seriously. Not Myles Munroe. Dr Myles I beg your pardon. He was an educated man and every time I listened to him, he had upgraded his level of education. Five doctorate degrees, authored numerous books, no wonder he would speak to presidents and world leaders and they would listen. You would listen to a man who would give you facts about your economy and correlate it with the kingdom of God. He really was inspiring. I have been inspired to reach the highest echelons of education because as one man of God said, the much you have is the much God will use. There are no wasted experiences and Dr Myles' transition encourages me to be all that I can be.
I can only imagine what the nation of Bahamas and the congregation of his church are going through. I will not even attempt to imagine what the son or daughter is feeling or his brothers and sisters. It is a loss of biblical proportions. A loss only explained in the book of Job. It is appointed for men to die once and after that face judgement. This is a scripture in the Bible. (Heb 9:27) It is shuddering to think that God has an appointment and we know that God will always keep his appointment. Paul in the book of Thessalonians encourages us not to mourn as those without hope knowing that we will see the saints again. So I rejoice knowing that I will see my parents, Dr Munroe, Kaberere again...in the meantime, I will pray for God's grace.
I first heard of Myles in the late nineties through a man called Jabal. He was a teens' and youth leader at Nairobi Calvary Temple where I would attend church. The teens ministry was called Shalom. (That's a story for another day). Up to that point Christianity to me was confined to miracles and the teachings of the Holy Spirit through seasoned men like Benny Hinn and Evangelist Reinhardt Bonnke. I had never heard a teaching about the kingdom of God. After I got to know of Myles, I got hold of several VHS tapes and listened to him and it was mind blowing. His teaching seemed to center on the book of Genesis. I remember him saying that once you understand Genesis then you will understand the mind of God. Everything is in the book of Genesis. I heard him speak of the cemetery being the richest place on earth. He said this all the time. That is why I did not think much about it when I heard him say it in his last media interview on Jeff Koinange Live. Little did I know that this time, it was a premonition of sorts.
He was consistent and every time I listened to him, it was all about the kingdom of God. As years went by, his teachings became more refined and more relevant to the times. I bought his book on Prayer and it is amazing how he would teach about prayer like you have not heard it before. 3 weeks ago, he was in Kenya for his second visit. It is interesting that after all those years, it was only his second visit. Be that as it may, I was glad to see him in person at the 10th edition of AFLEWO at Winners' Chapel.
He was consistent and every time I listened to him, it was all about the kingdom of God. As years went by, his teachings became more refined and more relevant to the times. I bought his book on Prayer and it is amazing how he would teach about prayer like you have not heard it before. 3 weeks ago, he was in Kenya for his second visit. It is interesting that after all those years, it was only his second visit. Be that as it may, I was glad to see him in person at the 10th edition of AFLEWO at Winners' Chapel.
 |
| Teaching on 'Eden' |
 |
| Dr Myles Munroe at Winners' Chapel-Oct 24-5th |
He spoke of the garden of Eden in the book of Genesis in a way I had never heard it before. His communication skills and profound understanding of the scriptures was astounding. In a nutshell, he said that Eden was not a physical place but the presence of God. If you remove man from the presence of God he will surely die. That was a powerful revelation. It is now Dr Myles and his wife Ruth who are in the presence of God. Jesus said that if we believe in Him, even though we die, we shall live (John 11:25) hence Myles is alive in God.
Every time I listened to Myles or read his books, he would leave me with a hunger for more. The other day Kenya was treated to the shenanigans of one 'Dr' Kanyari and for an entire week, he was a trending topic. I watched the exposé and was disgusted as every body else. What caught my attention though was Kanyari claiming that he was a form two drop out yet he called himself a doctor. He claimed his knowledge came from God. He said this with such pride and I remember telling my wife that there was nothing to be proud about when saying such things. It is sad that we have come to associate men of God with low levels of education and this has inhibited our influence as a church. The church cannot be taken seriously. Not Myles Munroe. Dr Myles I beg your pardon. He was an educated man and every time I listened to him, he had upgraded his level of education. Five doctorate degrees, authored numerous books, no wonder he would speak to presidents and world leaders and they would listen. You would listen to a man who would give you facts about your economy and correlate it with the kingdom of God. He really was inspiring. I have been inspired to reach the highest echelons of education because as one man of God said, the much you have is the much God will use. There are no wasted experiences and Dr Myles' transition encourages me to be all that I can be.
Dr Myles is gone but he is gone having lived a full life at the age of 60. The world would have loved to draw from his wisdom but as he said, he planned to die empty and this is what he did. He died empty. He had given everything he could. The baton has now been passed and I hope we can pick up from where he left. Let us be all that we can be. My greatest fear is not to miss heaven, my greatest fear is to reach heaven and discover that there was much more that I could have done on earth than what I did. I fear that I might not live out my full potential, I fear that I might not be the man God created me to be. Myles Munroe taught me that and showed me that it is possible to live a full life and die empty.
I leave you with some of his words during #AFLEWO2014:
When God comes, things change. This is not to say that God changes, for He was God long before we were born, and He'll be God long after we die. He was God before anything was created, and He will be God after everything has passed away. God is God, even without us. Therefore, telling God that He is great, beautiful, and all-powerful does not make Him any of these things.
"PRAISE ACKNOWLEDGES THE REALITY OF WHO GOD ALREADY IS." - DR Myles Munroe
Rest in peace God's general. The Kingdom of God has advanced mightily because of your teachings. Until we meet again sir, rest in peace.
When God comes, things change. This is not to say that God changes, for He was God long before we were born, and He'll be God long after we die. He was God before anything was created, and He will be God after everything has passed away. God is God, even without us. Therefore, telling God that He is great, beautiful, and all-powerful does not make Him any of these things.
"PRAISE ACKNOWLEDGES THE REALITY OF WHO GOD ALREADY IS." - DR Myles Munroe
Rest in peace God's general. The Kingdom of God has advanced mightily because of your teachings. Until we meet again sir, rest in peace.
Saturday, 1 November 2014
Happy Anniversary Sylvia!
A few weeks ago I embraced the gratitude challenge that was going round on social media. On day three, I paid tribute to Sylvia, my one and only wife, the reader of my blog and the love of my life. That was just a snippet of what I really feel and what I have to say about my wife.
It is exactly one year since I said, 'I do' to Sylvia at the beautiful ACK Church, Karen. One year already. How time flies!. Though time has flown, it didn't seem so at some point. Our marriage journey of 1 year is a story that needs to be told.
At the time of our wedding, Sylvia was living and working in Mombasa while I was in Nairobi. It didn't escape our minds what this meant once we got married. It would mean that we'd still be partially single. It didn't look like much of a bother at the time because I thought it would not be for long. A month or two...at most. Little did I know that it would take one full year of traversing across counties to keep the flame burning. It was exhausting and mentally draining. The alternative of leaving a job for either of us was not an option at that time. Why make a permanent decision based on a temporary situation? So we reasoned. God's grace was sufficient, though most times it didn't feel like it.
November 19, we get a call in the evening and we're told that dad is unwell and we make our way to KNH where he was brought in and admitted. After several days of tests and imaging he was diagnosed with Tuberculosis of the Spine that left him with paralysis in his lower limbs. The next 64 days were the most agonizing as we daily took care of him. We had just come back from our honeymoon and were trying to get used to the new married life and here we were thrust into the life of making daily visits if not living our lives in the deplorable KNH wards, having to interact and depend on nurses who were so accustomed to death they couldn't care less. This meant that your patient was your responsibility and hope that peradventure the doctors would have compassion and care for your patient.
Sylvia, the newly wed, still on honeymoon had to make a major mental shift and become nurse by day and wife by night. The vows we had exchanged a few days before came alive as she stood by me in ' sickness and in health ' the emphasis on the sickness part. What an introduction to marriage! This had to be done interspersed with travel to Mombasa and back. Why would God do this to us? We wondered...
Inevitably dad deteriorated and sadly passed on on Thursday 23rd January. All our efforts, all the joys of a new marriage came to a crushing halt and barely 2 months after a joyous wedding we were preparing for a burial. Life!! I had officially become an orphan. Instead of being in bliss mode I was now in mourning with a wife who was more often than not more than 500 Kms away.
God places the solitary in families (PS 68:6) and this is what he did. My new in-laws embraced me and my ' new ' parents loved me and made it easier as I sought parental love. This is the wisdom of God at work. As I celebrate one year of marriage, I look back in retrospect and see the hand of God at work in my life. He has been with us every step of the way. I definitely feel the loss of my dad and my mom and how I could use their presence but God has been a father and a mother and He has been my rock, my shield, my portion as the psalmist says.
I do not claim to have marriage advice after just 365 days but in those days I have gained some wisdom that I could pass to those who are yet to start. I am under no illusion that there are other stories of challenges for couples out there but this is our story, our cup. As we begin our second year, I would particularly want to encourage those getting married under similar circumstances: long distance relationships, loss of a parent in marriage. So here we go:
Manage Your Expectations
While premarital counseling will help you deal with common issues in marriage, you will soon realize that every marriage is unique just as everyone is unique. That said, it will be easier to enter marriage with no expectations but taking each day as it comes. Marriage calls for the ultimate sacrifice. Letting go of preconceived notions and building a new foundation. This is not easy. Most conflicts will rise from your expectations. Removing socks and leaving them scattered across the room may not be a big deal to you but your spouse may treat this like George Bush Jr dealt with Saddam Hussein or Osama. You have been warned. Then there is the small matter of the kitchen...enough said.
While premarital counseling will help you deal with common issues in marriage, you will soon realize that every marriage is unique just as everyone is unique. That said, it will be easier to enter marriage with no expectations but taking each day as it comes. Marriage calls for the ultimate sacrifice. Letting go of preconceived notions and building a new foundation. This is not easy. Most conflicts will rise from your expectations. Removing socks and leaving them scattered across the room may not be a big deal to you but your spouse may treat this like George Bush Jr dealt with Saddam Hussein or Osama. You have been warned. Then there is the small matter of the kitchen...enough said.
Marriage is Work.
Just like salvation, you must work your marriage with fear and trembling. Taking a laissez faire approach will lead you into trouble. You cannot take assumptions or leave things to chance. You must be deliberate in your actions to see results. I purposed to love Sylvia daily. I consciously tell her, ' I love you ' everyday and make her know she is loved. I take my priestly duties in the house and ensure we pray everyday albeit via phone mostly. As a man, take charge and watch God take control.
Just like salvation, you must work your marriage with fear and trembling. Taking a laissez faire approach will lead you into trouble. You cannot take assumptions or leave things to chance. You must be deliberate in your actions to see results. I purposed to love Sylvia daily. I consciously tell her, ' I love you ' everyday and make her know she is loved. I take my priestly duties in the house and ensure we pray everyday albeit via phone mostly. As a man, take charge and watch God take control.
Cultivate Friendship.
Friendship is the glue that makes you stick together. It's just been one year but it has not always been lovey-dovey. Friends do not pretend. Courtship is over, now it is being real. She is your housemate, your bed mate and your soul mate. You can cultivate friendship by doing things together, spending time together and engaging in activities of mutual interest. Again, this has to be deliberate.
Friendship is the glue that makes you stick together. It's just been one year but it has not always been lovey-dovey. Friends do not pretend. Courtship is over, now it is being real. She is your housemate, your bed mate and your soul mate. You can cultivate friendship by doing things together, spending time together and engaging in activities of mutual interest. Again, this has to be deliberate.
Keep Jesus At The Center
As we exchanged our vows at ACK Karen, we sang Israel Houghton's song, 'Jesus At The Center' and this was our song. It has always been about Jesus. Let Christ be the focal point, the true north of your marriage. When you cannot get through your spouse, pour your heart to God and Jesus will intervene and speak to your spouse. He is the only one who can convict of sin and change hearts. It is said that you cannot change a man, or a woman. I agree but I know of a man who can change hearts and Jesus is His name. Give Him the time in your marriage. Pray together, worship together and watch Him steer your ship.
A lot can be said about what to do and what not to do in marriage. The subject of marriage cannot be exhausted yet at the end of the day it is about two individuals. You decide the fate of your marriage. It helps me to know that this is for eternity. I am here to stay. Looking forward to year 2,3..5...7 and even year 41 like my parents would be celebrating this November. They have been married for 40 years. Let that sink in. My father in law told me that he always gets mom a gift every time he goes out because no matter their age women appreciate gifts. I will take that advice as I start year 2
A lot can be said about what to do and what not to do in marriage. The subject of marriage cannot be exhausted yet at the end of the day it is about two individuals. You decide the fate of your marriage. It helps me to know that this is for eternity. I am here to stay. Looking forward to year 2,3..5...7 and even year 41 like my parents would be celebrating this November. They have been married for 40 years. Let that sink in. My father in law told me that he always gets mom a gift every time he goes out because no matter their age women appreciate gifts. I will take that advice as I start year 2
As I celebrate one year, I pay tribute to you Sylvia. I love you and I would do this again. You still are the one for me and with you I feel like superman. I can conquer the world with you by my side. Your intellect stimulates me, your wisdom is profound and I admit you are always right:-) Here's to many more years together and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us. Thank you for unleashing the man in me and covering my weaknesses.
I love You. Happy Anniversary!
Tuesday, 14 October 2014
My AFLEWO Story
AFLEWO-Africa Let's Worship . I could stop right there because the acronym speaks for itself. The name precedes every story there is. Having said that, I am compelled to share my own story on my own blog. That has a nice ring to it. My first interaction with AFLEWO was in September 2004 in its first event. I was in the congregation that day at CITAM Karen (formerly NPC Karen). At a time when 'the word of the Lord was rare in my life' God used AFLEWO to jolt me back to Himself. Having been disillusioned by the christian life, I was tethering at the precipice of abandoning my faith and going back to 'fishing'. Pure authentic worship is what I needed and little did I know that this would begin a great journey.
As I sat in the beautiful sanctuary in Karen, I was mesmerized by the beautiful voices ensemble, I knew I was in for a great night. I had attended concerts before but there was something different. Then and now, your typical concert is usually a display of the might of the band coupled with beautifully blended voices and a lead singer with a powerful voice. It will occasionally get you to worship and sing along but just. More often than not, you will be left awed by the music, the arrangement, the beautiful outfits and how it all comes together and this in a span of two hours, 3 hours max. We all love concerts. They are relaxing to the soul and add meaning to this life. AFLEWO was more than a concert, it didn't leave me just awed, it left me yearning for more. It compelled me to worship, it provoked me to go deeper. I was left satisfied yet hungry after more than 8 hours of unadulterated worship and praise. Prayer was involved but worship indeed is the highest form of prayer.
All those who know me have come to associate me with AFLEWO. My life has been synonymous with AFLEWO. After that experience in 2004, I just didn't want to be in the pew, I wanted to be on the pulpit. I wanted to be in the choir. I believed God wanted me to serve Him in AFLEWO. I just knew it. In 2006, I got wind that there was registration for choir members but this wind didn't just get to me, I followed it. I had looked for information and then it found me. I tagged along one of my friends and there I was, part of the AFLEWO 2006 choir. If the night in 2004 enchanted me, the process left me ecstatic. The process was just that; a process. A process filled with music, prayer, networking and it culminates into one beautiful night where it all comes together. The process is like a symphony of sorts and one continuous AFLEWO event. I was singing tenor and it was interesting to discover how far your voice can be stretched. I thought I was ready for 'Idols' after a boot camp of sorts.
On the night of AFLEWO 2006, I could not believe that I was not in the congregation, I was on the coveted sacred pulpit!! I knew I had 'reached' and that was just the beginning. Song after song, the night ebbed away. Each song was a moment relived in the practice sessions, sometimes I would forget the harmonies but the mass choir of more than 200 compensated for my off key sound. After 8 hours, my feet were killing me, my body tired, my voice hoarse but it felt good. It was worth it. As the leaders disbanded us, it felt like I had just watched the final episode of 'Friends' and knowing that it was not going to come back. I fought tears. I felt nostalgic. I felt worse. It was exasperating as the kid in this video says it. You mean it was over? no more practice sessions? no more music? I wondered what to do with my Sunday afternoons. That feeling is what makes you go back to AFLEWO every other year just like I did in 2007.
It seems this story is longer than I anticipated but I will mention my highlights. AFLEWO 2007 will be remembered more for its cold than the music. Wow. That night at Nyayo Stadium was one of the coldest nights I have experienced except the time I climbed Mt Kenya. 2007 though for me was a night I got to share a testimony on that coveted, sacred pulpit. I was not just singing, I was now the one talking. The lights focused on me, I didn't see the crowd due to the dimming lights but I spoke. My testimony that night was about my mother. My mother had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer in 2006 and as much as it seemed like a death sentence, she got through to September. The doctors reports were encouraging and to me this was a major testimony. I spoke of God's healing touch and though she passed on in 2008, (R.I.P Mum) I believe that God was still at work. In the words of Job, though He slay me, I will yet praise Him.
Fast forward to 2010 and by this time, I had become part of the leadership of AFLEWO. This particular year was a difficult one but I got to meet Sylvia at the tail end of the process. Sylvia for those who do not know, is the wife of my youth, the reader of my blog. As it is for each event, the choir and band are disbanded after the night. A 'set down' for AFLEWO small group leaders was arranged at Safari Walk and having been part of small group leaders before, I joined in solidarity. There I met Sylvia and the rest as they say is history.
What I love about AFLEWO is that you get to interact with people from all walks of life and denominations and who knows what could happen when two or three meet together....After a grueling but exciting five months of practice, you are left with a burden for Africa and worship. Your focus shifts from your local domain to a continental mentality. That is a major paradigm shift. It has been exciting travelling to Mombasa, Meru, Nyeri, Nakuru, Dar-es-Salaam and Kigali and watch AFLEWO grow.
It is now 2014 and in a few days the 10th edition of AFLEWO will be going down at Winners' Chapel. What will your story be? You too can have your AFLEWO story. Words cannot explain the experience that is AFLEWO. It is better experienced rather than explained. I will not always be in AFLEWO as seasons come and go but when all is said and done, I will be happy to know I was part of the biggest worship event in Africa. What a privilege!
As I sat in the beautiful sanctuary in Karen, I was mesmerized by the beautiful voices ensemble, I knew I was in for a great night. I had attended concerts before but there was something different. Then and now, your typical concert is usually a display of the might of the band coupled with beautifully blended voices and a lead singer with a powerful voice. It will occasionally get you to worship and sing along but just. More often than not, you will be left awed by the music, the arrangement, the beautiful outfits and how it all comes together and this in a span of two hours, 3 hours max. We all love concerts. They are relaxing to the soul and add meaning to this life. AFLEWO was more than a concert, it didn't leave me just awed, it left me yearning for more. It compelled me to worship, it provoked me to go deeper. I was left satisfied yet hungry after more than 8 hours of unadulterated worship and praise. Prayer was involved but worship indeed is the highest form of prayer.
All those who know me have come to associate me with AFLEWO. My life has been synonymous with AFLEWO. After that experience in 2004, I just didn't want to be in the pew, I wanted to be on the pulpit. I wanted to be in the choir. I believed God wanted me to serve Him in AFLEWO. I just knew it. In 2006, I got wind that there was registration for choir members but this wind didn't just get to me, I followed it. I had looked for information and then it found me. I tagged along one of my friends and there I was, part of the AFLEWO 2006 choir. If the night in 2004 enchanted me, the process left me ecstatic. The process was just that; a process. A process filled with music, prayer, networking and it culminates into one beautiful night where it all comes together. The process is like a symphony of sorts and one continuous AFLEWO event. I was singing tenor and it was interesting to discover how far your voice can be stretched. I thought I was ready for 'Idols' after a boot camp of sorts.
On the night of AFLEWO 2006, I could not believe that I was not in the congregation, I was on the coveted sacred pulpit!! I knew I had 'reached' and that was just the beginning. Song after song, the night ebbed away. Each song was a moment relived in the practice sessions, sometimes I would forget the harmonies but the mass choir of more than 200 compensated for my off key sound. After 8 hours, my feet were killing me, my body tired, my voice hoarse but it felt good. It was worth it. As the leaders disbanded us, it felt like I had just watched the final episode of 'Friends' and knowing that it was not going to come back. I fought tears. I felt nostalgic. I felt worse. It was exasperating as the kid in this video says it. You mean it was over? no more practice sessions? no more music? I wondered what to do with my Sunday afternoons. That feeling is what makes you go back to AFLEWO every other year just like I did in 2007.
It seems this story is longer than I anticipated but I will mention my highlights. AFLEWO 2007 will be remembered more for its cold than the music. Wow. That night at Nyayo Stadium was one of the coldest nights I have experienced except the time I climbed Mt Kenya. 2007 though for me was a night I got to share a testimony on that coveted, sacred pulpit. I was not just singing, I was now the one talking. The lights focused on me, I didn't see the crowd due to the dimming lights but I spoke. My testimony that night was about my mother. My mother had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer in 2006 and as much as it seemed like a death sentence, she got through to September. The doctors reports were encouraging and to me this was a major testimony. I spoke of God's healing touch and though she passed on in 2008, (R.I.P Mum) I believe that God was still at work. In the words of Job, though He slay me, I will yet praise Him.
Fast forward to 2010 and by this time, I had become part of the leadership of AFLEWO. This particular year was a difficult one but I got to meet Sylvia at the tail end of the process. Sylvia for those who do not know, is the wife of my youth, the reader of my blog. As it is for each event, the choir and band are disbanded after the night. A 'set down' for AFLEWO small group leaders was arranged at Safari Walk and having been part of small group leaders before, I joined in solidarity. There I met Sylvia and the rest as they say is history.
 |
| Sylvia lurking behind me |
 |
| Checking Sylvia out:-) |
It is now 2014 and in a few days the 10th edition of AFLEWO will be going down at Winners' Chapel. What will your story be? You too can have your AFLEWO story. Words cannot explain the experience that is AFLEWO. It is better experienced rather than explained. I will not always be in AFLEWO as seasons come and go but when all is said and done, I will be happy to know I was part of the biggest worship event in Africa. What a privilege!
 |
| AFLEWO 2014-You better be there! |
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
My Maiden Blog Post
Here I am doing my first blog post and I know I am Johnie come lately but I came nonetheless. I have always wondered how bloggers get 'material' to put up on their blog every other week and then it hit me: Blogging is an art and like all arts it can be learned. I want to learn and what better way than to just start.
I often get a rush of thoughts and ideas every now and again and when I am in this state, I would say I am in my element. I am a different man, a sage and more often than not, I even feel virtue flowing out of me:-) Today is not one of those days I must say but to be able to put my thoughts together on this space is a good thing.
I would imagine that when bloggers go about their blogging business, they enjoy it and while at it, they are in their element. I suppose also that maybe blogging is a coping mechanism for all those who would rather vent on 'paper' than throw tantrums out there. There are also those who possess brilliant minds and their every thought is worth to be out there in the internet space. These are the world changers, men and women who possess the next big thing in the faculties of their minds. It would be an injustice if we were denied their brilliance and in deed the world is a better place with these folks in it and not just in it but putting their thoughts out there. Then there are those that would rather just blog because hey, it is the 'in' thing. For these blokes, it is keeping up with the trends. It is like getting the next smart phone, the next phase of technology. When you read their blog, there is nothing to 'write home about' no pun intended but just words thrown out there. No idea, No comment, just words. In blogging, these group of people feel they are 'with it', I guess it feels good to have a web address with my name on it.
Then there is me, I wouldn't call myself a blogger, far from it. In any case, this is my maiden blog post. I would put myself some where in between the brilliant mind and the trend setters. I like to think of myself as a man who is not left behind in this fast paced world. I joined Facebook in 2007, 3 years after it was founded and in my sphere, I was one of the first guys. I joined Twitter 4 years ago, 4 years after it had been founded. I hope you see the pattern here. 2014 marks my first blog post. I am clearly consistent. The point here is it takes a while for me to join the bandwagon, but I eventually do. I forgot to mention, there is also whatsapp, viber, pinterest...I joined these too. Honestly, you cannot keep up with trends and so you have to accept that in this world, you must find what suits you and be okay with it. After all, life is not defined by how many blog posts you have out there, how many tweets you have on your twitter profile, or how many whatsapp videos and images you can share to your groups before the rest do, no..it is about the value you add to this life to make it better. When you are gone no one will remember your last tweet, your last post, it is what you did that makes a difference.
As I pen this, I must put it out there that I am a born again Christian. I love God, I am passionate about Him and I find my purpose in Him. That said, I often wonder, what would the disciples of Jesus' day do if they had social media. It would have been a crazy world there. Jesus would have the highest Twitter followers while Paul the Apostle would have the highest number of tweets. Perhaps, Judas would also have quite a number of followers. The controversy and curiosity about him especially after betraying Jesus would give him quite a following. God wrote on the wall in the days of Daniel making him the first Facebooker. Facebook is a godly thing in case you're wondering:-) While these men enjoy heaven (except Judas) they must regret the opportunity they didn't get with social media. I am glad I am in this generation, I now have the opportunity and thus my reason to begin blogging. I hope that my thoughts would somehow change a life, affect the atmosphere, shake the airwaves. Jesus walked on water in His day, what would He do today? I can only imagine.
Finally, I get it out. My first blog post. I am excited. I am hoping to get in my 'element' in future blog posts. As I conclude this post, I must admit there is some therapy in writing down your thoughts. Who will read this? I don't know but it is out there. Maybe my wife will...she is obliged to cheer me on anyway. Happy reading Sylvia:-)
I often get a rush of thoughts and ideas every now and again and when I am in this state, I would say I am in my element. I am a different man, a sage and more often than not, I even feel virtue flowing out of me:-) Today is not one of those days I must say but to be able to put my thoughts together on this space is a good thing.
I would imagine that when bloggers go about their blogging business, they enjoy it and while at it, they are in their element. I suppose also that maybe blogging is a coping mechanism for all those who would rather vent on 'paper' than throw tantrums out there. There are also those who possess brilliant minds and their every thought is worth to be out there in the internet space. These are the world changers, men and women who possess the next big thing in the faculties of their minds. It would be an injustice if we were denied their brilliance and in deed the world is a better place with these folks in it and not just in it but putting their thoughts out there. Then there are those that would rather just blog because hey, it is the 'in' thing. For these blokes, it is keeping up with the trends. It is like getting the next smart phone, the next phase of technology. When you read their blog, there is nothing to 'write home about' no pun intended but just words thrown out there. No idea, No comment, just words. In blogging, these group of people feel they are 'with it', I guess it feels good to have a web address with my name on it.
Then there is me, I wouldn't call myself a blogger, far from it. In any case, this is my maiden blog post. I would put myself some where in between the brilliant mind and the trend setters. I like to think of myself as a man who is not left behind in this fast paced world. I joined Facebook in 2007, 3 years after it was founded and in my sphere, I was one of the first guys. I joined Twitter 4 years ago, 4 years after it had been founded. I hope you see the pattern here. 2014 marks my first blog post. I am clearly consistent. The point here is it takes a while for me to join the bandwagon, but I eventually do. I forgot to mention, there is also whatsapp, viber, pinterest...I joined these too. Honestly, you cannot keep up with trends and so you have to accept that in this world, you must find what suits you and be okay with it. After all, life is not defined by how many blog posts you have out there, how many tweets you have on your twitter profile, or how many whatsapp videos and images you can share to your groups before the rest do, no..it is about the value you add to this life to make it better. When you are gone no one will remember your last tweet, your last post, it is what you did that makes a difference.
As I pen this, I must put it out there that I am a born again Christian. I love God, I am passionate about Him and I find my purpose in Him. That said, I often wonder, what would the disciples of Jesus' day do if they had social media. It would have been a crazy world there. Jesus would have the highest Twitter followers while Paul the Apostle would have the highest number of tweets. Perhaps, Judas would also have quite a number of followers. The controversy and curiosity about him especially after betraying Jesus would give him quite a following. God wrote on the wall in the days of Daniel making him the first Facebooker. Facebook is a godly thing in case you're wondering:-) While these men enjoy heaven (except Judas) they must regret the opportunity they didn't get with social media. I am glad I am in this generation, I now have the opportunity and thus my reason to begin blogging. I hope that my thoughts would somehow change a life, affect the atmosphere, shake the airwaves. Jesus walked on water in His day, what would He do today? I can only imagine.
Finally, I get it out. My first blog post. I am excited. I am hoping to get in my 'element' in future blog posts. As I conclude this post, I must admit there is some therapy in writing down your thoughts. Who will read this? I don't know but it is out there. Maybe my wife will...she is obliged to cheer me on anyway. Happy reading Sylvia:-)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)