TO GOD BE THE GLORY

PRAYERS SHOULD BE SURRENDERED

2008-04-03T23:13:00.000-07:00

JESUS shows us that prayer should be SURRENDERED
4.1 INTRODUCTION - MISTAKEN VIEWS OF PRAYER
The disciple who asked, "Lord, teach us to pray" felt a need not only for himself but also for his fellow-disciples. We all need to learn from Jesus because we have many mistaken ideas about prayer. Here are some mistaken views of prayer which are very common:

4.1.1 SOME VIEW PRAYER AS A "FIRE ESCAPE"
Those who see prayer as a "fire escape" keep it handy just for emergencies. They go though life with not a thought for God's will. Only when trouble comes do they rush to the "emergency exit" called "prayer," and then they expect God to listen to them and to rescue them.

4.1.2 SOME VIEW PRAYER AS A "GOOD LUCK CHARM"
It does not matter how one lives, just as long as he mumbles off his prayers before bedtime, prayer will be his "good-luck charm" (lucky bracelet, badge or necklace, or in some countries a rabbit's foot for bringing luck). A few prayer rituals keep good fortune on one's side. It just seems to be the safe thing to do.

4.1.3 SOME VIEW PRAYER AS A "HEAVENLY A.T.M."
To some believers prayer is a kind of banking machine, a marvelous computer in the sky. If you learn how to push the right buttons with God, you get out of God exactly what you want: health, happiness, vacations, money, friends, prosperity, and more. Just use that magic machine called prayer, and you can manipulate God in almost any way you want.

4.2 WRITE YOUR OWN TICKET?
On the popular market there was a booklet entitled "How To Write Your Own Ticket With God." That is a rather unfortunate title, because it means "How To Get Your Own Way With God" (and it happens also to reflect the message of the booklet). What a totally different attitude Jesus had. Jesus said: "Not My will, but Yours be done!" In other words, "I don't want to get My own way ... I want Your way. I don't want to write My own ticket. I'll take whatever ticket You write, Father." One hears and reads a number of different statements from different groups which basically say, "If you are not in good health, and if you are not getting richer and richer, then it is sure proof that you do not know how to pray."
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> 4.3 THE POVERTY OF JESUS
I wonder what they would have said about Jesus?
" Jesus replied, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.'" (Matthew 8:20).
Toward the end of Jesus' ministry He was virtually friendless and penniless, " a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." Some today would say: "Jesus, you need to take our 'Health and Happiness Plan'. You obviously do not know how to pray." One wonders what they would have said of the Apostles? Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have . . ." (Acts 3:6). Paul said, We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world (1 Corinthians 4:12-13).
Some today would say, "Peter, Paul, let me pray for you. You obviously are not in contact with the power. You have not 'plugged into' God's secret formula for financial and social success!" We wonder if these are not the kind of people, described by 1 Timothy 6:5, who "have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain." Now which is it? Is prayer a sort of "bank card"? You push it into the spiritual computer, push the right buttons, and God hands over the cash, or the health, or happiness? Or is prayer an act of submission, whereby you surrender to God's will and say, "Not My will, but Thine be done?"
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4.4 JESUS WAS SUBMISSIVE
Great power and high position often lead men to feel that they can take liberties with law - at least as it applies to themselves. Jesus enjoyed the highest position and the greatest power, yet His attitude was one of obedience to God in everything. "Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). Repeatedly Jesus emphasized that He did nothing on His own authority or initiative, but did only what the Father told Him to do (Jn. 5:19,30; 6:38; 8:28). His very food was to do God's will (Jn. 4:24)! When Jesus taught the disciples the model prayer, He said, "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven'" (Matthew 6:9-10).

In John 12:27-28 Jesus was being troubled by thoughts of what He had to go through on the cross. He said, "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name!" We too ask, "Shall I seek what would selfishly benefit me?" If we follow in Jesus' steps, the answer must be, "No! I will seek the things that let God glorify Himself through my life (or death)!" In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "Abba, Father, Everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will" (Mk. 14:36).
In His second prayer He said, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may Your will be done" (Mt. 26:42).
In each of these prayers we see the attitude of total surrender to God's will.
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4.5 A SECRET OF SUCCESS
This was another secret of the success of Jesus' prayers - He was in harmony with God's will. "He was heard because of His reverent submission" (Heb. 5:7). Jesus described His relationship with the Father in this way: "The One who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him" (Jn. 8:29). "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" (Jn. 15:7). "We receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands, and do what pleases Him" (I John 3:22).
The promise of answered prayer is to those who are primarily going to ask responsibly with God's will uppermost in their affections. The promise is not made to those who are continually selfish, irresponsible or disobedient.
James 4:3 explains, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend what you get on your own pleasures."
The right attitude is shown again by John. "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 Jn. 5:14).

SO, brothers and sisters; better be careful when praying because you might only singing not knowing what you are praying for, just to show off or to be seen.

Mighty in God's Love

2008-03-02T22:13:00.000-08:00

Everyone experiences rough times in life. But having trials doesn't mean that you've missed God. On the contrary, your trials are often a sign that you're on the path to your destiny. When breakthrough is near, trouble often appears to sidetrack or distract you to keep you from receiving what is waiting for you. Although your trials may be difficult, you must realize that you already have everything you need to triumph over them. You've been equipped by God with a measure of might, and that is what will help you successfully overcome anything that sets itself against you.
What exactly is "might"? Might is "the power, authority or resources wielded." It is your God-given ability to do whatever is necessary to accomplish a particular task. In the Bible, David used might to kill the giant, Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Likewise, Daniel used his might to tap into God's wisdom to read the handwriting on the wall (Daniel 5:13-29). If you want to operate in this same kind of might, you must first recognize its source: the Word of God.
Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the various weapons available to help you win any battle. These weapons-the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit-all work together to enable you to stand against any opponent. When you firmly establish God's Word in your heart, you are suiting up for battle and arming yourself with God's weapons. And this is how you turn on the power of might.
First John 5:4 says, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world...." When you become born again and allow the Word of God to take root on the inside of you, your victory in every battle is assured; you can overcome the world. That's why in the face of every battle, you must believe that your victory is already at hand.
It is not enough just to know the Word, however. You must also know God's heart behind the Word in order to activate the power of might in your life. The Bible is a written expression of God's love, and it contains the truth about His character. When you know God's character, you know His heart. And it's knowing God's heart-His true intentions and His will for you-that gives you confidence in Him and turns on might.
In every situation that you face, think to yourself, What do I know about God's character? The first thing you know from God's Word is that He loves you unconditionally and wants you to triumph in your battles (2 Corinthians 2:14). Next, you know that you have been commanded to love God with all of your heart, mind and soul (Matthew 22:37). Since God requires this kind of love from you, He is faithful to love you in the same way. Because He loves you, He will protect you and bring manifestation into your life. Walking confidently in the knowledge of God's love keeps you walking in the power of might.
Might is a direct result of your revelation of God's love. So if your doctor gives you a bad report or your harvest hasn't yet come in, think about how much God loves you and wants the best for you. Keep a positive attitude, and don't let doubt enter your mind. Anytime you question God's ability or willingness to intercede on your behalf in any situation, you doubt His love for you and you hinder might from operating in your life.
Battles are real, but victories are even more real to the Believer. Even in the midst of your trials, position yourself right where God wants you to be-in the center of His love. Believe in His love and walk in the power of might today!

इफ सय I डॉन'T

2007-03-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

Every girl who had the chance to receive a ‘love’ letter during her secondary school days, will probably side with me the moment she finishes reading this piece. The itchy boys could write the then common letters and hand in, or stuff them in the middle of the ‘admirer’s’ book.

It was not uncommon for certain over used phrases to be fixed, to show the magnitude of the ‘love’. Take this phrase for instance… My lav 4 u will not die till lake Victoria dries. The person who coined this phrase, might have meant that his/her love for the admirer would not end as soon, therefore choosing the longevity of the waters of lake Victoria was meant to portray the depth of the romantic feelings.

Someone took up the expression, with utmost daftness, leaving the heavy meaning out of mind. In no time, his ‘ love’ dried even before environmentalists made their first predictions that the water levels of lake Victoria would fall in few coming years. The phrase continuously changed many sheets of papers, and became a cliché. This is due to man’s inherent behaviour to copy others. According to Ecquid Novi, this copying tendency is: monkey see- monkey do principle.

Uganda has been hit by the mass wedding craze, and it has helped in carrying on the copying tradition. The colours and ways of dressing are the same; do not forget the identical words that have been rehearsed and recited for centuries as marriage vows. People do not seem bothered about the meanings and choice of words they are forced to use on their wedding days. Some people now believe more in the ‘I love you’ song, than the real feelings the partner might be harboring.

A married man one time told me that his wife complains he no longer loves her. Her reason being, he no more says so. The man was expected to profess his love in the three little words every morning and evening, before and after work, in that order. Why can’t she say so to him? I thought.

This reminds me of a family fun I read in The Monitor, Friday oct.8th 2004, and have kept it for the last two years. Jill tells her husband, “Jack, that young couple that just moved in next door seem such a loving two some. Every morning, when he leaves the house, he kisses her good bye, and every evening when he comes home, he brings her a dozen roses. Now, why can’t you do that?” Gosh! Jack says, “Why I hardly know the girl”. Well-said Jack! I congratulated him in absentia.

Am not trying to stop people from showing ‘love’ to their dear ones but, can’t one just use less common, and boring words so that the love seem more original and real?
Lucy, a law student, used to blush among her friends while responding to her boyfriend’s “ I love you”. Whenever Greg called, he could then say the cliché, and Lucy had to reply; “I love you too”. Failure to say so by Lucy would imply that she had a man beside. An altercation would then follow. (They are no longer together by the way).
May be she was uncomfortable because she knew he was not her best, therefore no need to waste her words.

Consider the Kyrgyz tans that have what one can call grab and run weddings. They kidnap women they have admired, and the in-laws/ family members have to persuade the woman till she agrees to marry her kidnapper. I know this is their tradition, but how on earth do I marry out of force, unless am dead sure am on my way to heaven? And on my wedding day am supposed to say, “I do”, even when I know conditions no longer permit me to do. In this era where marriages compete with divorce to an extent that, when marriage passes by, divorce follows almost immediately, it is not wise to beam when your, still sweetheart says, “I love you”. I hate you might follow very fast, and this time with actions that are rough and tough.

Ask our Hon. Binaisa, whose go between was among the most popularly used communication systems in the world, the Internet. The honorable tied the knot with his Internet babe, and what followed? The Nyama became moto sana (read Yamamoto) for poor old man to chew, and the Tomato (read Tomoko) was again too ripe to make good accompaniment.

ब्लेसING

2007-03-13T22:41:00.000-07:00

EU boosts water and sanitation in IDP camps in north

2007-03-07T04:31:00.000-08:00

One may ask, how northern Uganda is getting water, as you can see people move and night looking for water, then you really wonder how people in the camps are now facing the rough time.

The head of European delegation to Uganda, Ambassador Vincent de-visscher has launched a three year water and sanitation umbrella project in IDP camps in Acholi sub region.

The project to cost 7,710,994,000 will benefit approximately 149,000(IDPS) Internally displaced persons leaving in IDP camps in Kitgum and Pader districts.
Visscher said the funds were made available under the ACP-EU water facility, a project that was launched in 2004.

Its special objective is to boost the sustainable delivery of water, sanitation infrastructure and improving water governance in the areas affected by the LRA insurgency.

“We want the IDPs to return back home because we still have more activities to carry. We want to help IDPs as they plan to return home,” Visscher he said.

The Water and Sanitation Programme (WASUP) was selected for funding under the 1st call for proposal of the water facility working within the framework of the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP).

The WASUP’s main objective is to address the basic needs of access to safe water and basic hygienic sanitation of the communities in the war ravaged areas of Kitgum and Pader districts.

In lights of peace returning to the region, the ambassador said the WASUP programme will address the water and sanitation needs in the communities returning homes as well as those who choose to remain in the camps.

“To this effect, the programme must be implemented in flexible way so as to be able to address and accommodate changing needs,” Visscher said.
He said the project is in support of the government’s recovery and reconstruction programme in northern Uganda.

Your comments to this issue is so important to the people living in the camps.

TAKING A TOUR

2007-03-07T04:23:00.000-08:00

TAKING A TOUR

It has been always nice to experience certain things in my life. I had always been asking question that “What will my life be if I don’t make friends and try to be positive to them. The answer was “Leave a life that brings joy everyday and never be worried at all.

I once travel to Bujagali falls in Jinja and Owen falls dam, and experience something about swimming. Personally I don’t know how to swim, but was so surprise to see this boy swimming on water using a jerican while sinking in the deepest part of the fall and I ask whether the boy is alive after staying under the water for about 3o minutes, one of my teacher told me the boy is there and I will be seeing him in a while since he was earning his living/working money and is hired in dollars, I got so encourage with this and wanted to come and try it with friends but all was in vain, then I wondered what could have driven this guy to start doing such a difficult job. Since that day, I read in some Magazine that the boy has now got sponsor and he’s now well off. Why can’t I be more than that?

So, people just make their life un easy because they may want to be given/sit and wait which is not so good for in life, you find some one has got a degree or a good university student but don’t be surprise when you see that person stuffing and you ask where is the future of this person. “

Reluctant brings poverty, hardworking pays”, when I started my career in my job, I love it so much that I even feel like there is no life when I don’t work, but sometimes I found other bosses are so disappointed in such a way that they may want to suck you because you have not give in/open your…!

This is so embarrassing in the life of people, but a person who feel comfortable with it can easily accept even if things are not right for them but because they want money, its easy to pull them.

Yes, life is all about working and spending what you get to the fullness of your joy if you want, but you don’t want; leave it or rather go with it. In Africa, some areas experience low water supplies while in some parts it experience a lot of rain water, and some parts are hot while others are very cold. And like for the case of being in Uganda, it has got a fertile land, tourist attraction, lots of things to do, name it.

Jokes in this.

Now, when you try to ask yourself, what are the benefits of being in a fertile land, of course the answer will be cultivating and rearing of animals, etc or name it there.

One thing I have liked in this dam “the place is so nice to be, weather condition is cold has it is even in day time”, but one thing I have not seen from this fall is wild life like the one in Murchison Falls National Parks just near Karumba Falls.

Now, friends, try to e-mail me or comment and write your views over this since I would want to get deep and write more about this experience that I had during my visit to the place. Will see u next time, nice time and enjoy this as you comment on this I will be hanging to write more about Tour.

IN PRAISE

2007-03-02T00:34:00.000-08:00

PRAISE THE LORD, GUYS!

GOD: Angels, do you know what I was just thinking about?ANGELS: What were you thinking about? GOD:

Christians seem to have forgotten what kind of power they have available and the devil keeps on deceiving them! ANGELS: God, exactly what are you driving at? GOD:

I have made my children in such a way that when the people of theworld are sitting, they would be standing, when the world is standing, they will stand out, when the world stands out, my children must beoutstanding and when the devil dares the world to be outstanding, my people will be the standards to be used! JESUS CHRIST:

They (Christians) are also forgetting the word s in Ephesians 1:3. GOD: Please read it out!

ANGEL: PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST , WHO HAS BLESSED US IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN CHRIST .

ANGEL: So what do we do now since the end is almost near ?

HOLY SPIRIT: My Presence is still among men and I will teach and remind the Christians of all that we have discussed. I will also make sure that they pass this message on!

JESUS CHRIST: I will also keep on interceding for them and stand in for them even in their weaknesses.

GOD: I will also make sure that I give to all those who ask of me, seek me and try to find me . The blessings I have promised them through my son Jesus Christ will be delivered to all those who discover that I, Jehovah, I am ready to bless them! Not because of any special things that they have done, but just because I LOVE THEM !

JESUS CHRIST: I will also give all my followers who are willing to pass this conversation on, enough strength to carry on!

ANGELS: We are all backing THE TRINITY and even the devil cannot stop us! How funny! Christians are finally taking over and .......

DEVIL (eavesdropping behind the gates): I hope you all heard! I will deploy more troops (demons) and make sure the Christians pray less, read their Bibles less, preach less and make sure this mail does not move anywhere! Also.....

YOU SURE HEARD THAT! THE DEVIL WILL MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT PASS THIS ONBUT PROVE HIM WRONG AND SHOW HIM THE POWER YOU HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS AS ACHRISTIAN. PRAY MORE, STUDY THE WORD MORE AND PREACH THE WORD!DO NOT DISAPPOINT GOD ! PASS IT ON!

REMEMBER, THERE IS NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE IN GOD'S NAME!

WHERE IS THE WORLD HEADING

2007-03-01T23:52:00.000-08:00

WHERE IS THE WORLD GOING

Jesus Christ of Nazareth is now Jesus Christ of Gulu. The Son of God was smoked out in the northern Ugandan town last week. I swear I am not making this up, people saw him chilling on an MTN mast, Bible in one hand and waving the other hand blessedly.Iwas passing and i hear it was just too ballistic. Mbu the Son of God still had the original 'channel O' beard that we have since become accustomed to.

He also spotted that long hair only that this time he had warped it into a ponytail. He did not speak to anybody (Why can't he speak if He is the One that people are waiting for). He just stood there raising his hand in the air and waving it like he just didn't care!

I wish i was a Thomas, I would have asked for an autograph. However, there's an interesting twist to this story. I've witnessed that, it was only children who had the optical liberty to actually see him. However much adults stared atop the MTN mast, they could not catch a glimpse of Jesus.

For sure even if you had the Besigye's 'eye power' you could not see a thing/the Jesus people where talking about. Even the whole priest took his time from a distance to come and tell people that it is seen from afar the so Jesus of Nazareth, i wonder where how some of our servants of God are Preaching, even some believers they said they saw Him.

The other prerequisite for seeing Jesus was that you had to be virgin or chaste. I now know why some of the strong believers did not see him! Could it be that they are not serving Him rightiously or not? In fact am revering this to Mathew 24:7 about the coming of Jesus and how he will be descending as many shall be decieved with this kind of hipocrites/falls prophecy.

I even learnt that most of the kids also did not see!!! You may believe Jesus' Gulu appearance but as a bright believer, I beg to differ on this whole circus. That chap in Gulu can never have been Jesus but can be the Lusifar of this world appearing inform of Jesus to devour his people since the coming of the Son of Man is drawing near and near. It definitely was someone else.

Now what I am going to write next is very important. Jesus was brutally murdered by the Romans on the 1st of January 1AD at the tender age of 33. Today, he would be exactly 2040 years of age and two months. However, the guy they describe in Gulu was a youthful guy so it cannot be the Son of God. If he had a walking stick, a bend and massive grey hair, then those Gulu conspiracy theorists would have a story.

Jesus was an equal opportunity person so there's no way he would choose to appear on an MTN mast when he very well knows that there are other networks like Celtel Uganda and UTL. But to me Jesus coming no body know the time, hour, day, month, year, nor even the angels in Heave do know, its only the Father/God who knows the day. They claim that Jesus was holding a Bible in one hand while blessing the masses with the other.

Now let's get serious here. What on earth would Jesus the Son of God need a Bible for? Summarise it to say that the Gulu person was not Jesus. Had that been the Son of God, he wouldn't be climbing masts in Gulu. A mast would remind him of the cross at Calvary and the suffering that he underwent during the time of his crufixition!

Let me remind the one that believe in God. If that was Jesus there would be alot of lightning, thunders, signs, wonders, miracles that some people has not seen, and earthuarke even if it happens after the earthquark the previous day before that happens and would have had a meeting with the only Ugandan with God's mobile number.

He would also visit Pastors and among other things they would discuss about his coming and what should be done for people to enter the Kingdom of God. I swear this has nothing to do with Lake Galilee!). Yes, its true Gulu needs Jesus but should he land on a mast and then disappear without visiting the IDPs or talking to Uncle Joseph? Never, and never. Coming soon, wait!!

It’s all in the name of love

2007-02-23T22:45:00.000-08:00

It’s all in the name....?

Sweetheart, darling, honey, mummy, taata baby, ssebo... What you choose to call your better half is entirely up to you as long as it doesn't antagonise your relationship.

Love really is so strange, as Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers echoed out. While they may have resorted to referring to their lovers as “baby”, “lover boy”, many of us have gladly settled for pet names like "Taata Junior", "daddy", and "mummy".

Cultural call.

In most cases you find that when a lady/girl/woman name it, come to join in one family or making friendship/lover, you find they are using funny names, that can bring alot of romance to each other, but in my view i think people just do it for the sake of respecting others name.

I one time met some guy who told the girl friend that used to called him with his local name, i mean family name, what the guy say was so contraversal to me because you really wonder what type of relationship they are having, "Are you my mom who gave me that name?" Foolish, to hell with you.

Now, can that words really makes someone to chucked the girl? What could be the logic behind this? Send your comments about this.

"Emotions aside, pet names are engineered by the need to show a partner respect, especially in front of the children. In the setting of a typical African home, it's as rare as hen's teeth for a wife to call her husband by his name. Since endearments such as "sweetie", or "honey" may be distasteful in some families, the good old traditional ones come in handy."

Dealing with conflicts in your relationship

2007-02-23T21:51:00.000-08:00

If you're in an honest relationship, you will have disagreements ,if you're privileged to be with someone who speaks his mind,you have tension.The issue is not whether there will be conflict but how you will deal with it. Because conflict is inevitable, work on the following steps for dealing with it;

Don't turn conflicts into acatastrophe.It doesn't mean the marriage is over.Infact,an honest encounter may have just begun,and that's a powerful starting point for a meaningful relationship.

You can't have the sweetness of romantic love without the saltiness of tension at times.It's best not to label conflicts as bad; it's part of the relationship. Talk about issues ahead of time,not just when things are heated. Rehearse it. Develop a strategy for how you will listen to each other and address the issues.

This is hard in the middle of a struggle, but later you can discuss how silly some of your fights have been.Agree to lighten things up to next time you feel the situation getting heated.Awink or aile can defuse the situation. While you read this and comment on it, you will also discover some secrets below. Read on;

Donot say you were not warned against polygamy
Polygamy is a situation where a man 'marries' more than one woman or 'wife'. This is characterised by aspects such as competition, unhappiness, hatred, envy and incidentally death among the different 'women'/'wives' seeking to attract attention of the 'husband'.

Polygamy is associated with economic constraints since a number of responsibilities is involved, like school fess for the children, the general welfare of the families to mention but afew.

Lastly, for those seeking true relationships, it is not worth to share a man for love. For the single ones out there, watch out for this trap. Once you get in, it will be very difficult getting out! Do not say that you were not warned.

Polygamy is known not only to affect the wives and numerous children, but also to tamper with ones health and general psychological well being.