Author: Soulsunshine.

When you meet my old friends;
Tell them I have a message from this end.
Tell them I’m still in the narrow way,
And I choose it till this day.
Tell them I’m not the same,
That I have a new name.
Tell them, yes, I still feel pain,
And, that I’ve seen sunshine and rain.
That my loved ones still die,
And some in sickbeds lie.
But Tell them I pray,
And see clouds roll away.
Tell them I’m healing as we speak,
And that I’m strong when I’m weak.
Tell them that I’m sorry,
For my faults and folly.
Tell them that they’re forgiven,
For when by their acts and words I was broken.
Tell them I still pray and wait,
To see them by the golden gate.
Tell them I’ll cry in heaven,
If in the book of life they’re not written.
Tell them mercy is still pleading,
And that Jesus longs to grant them healing.

Exams are definitely not my particular idea of fun. I remember a time in high school when I dreaded, particularly, math exams. Why? Well, because I mostly did not understand it, so I didn’t enjoy it and thus I didn’t study it. It’s only obvious that I wouldn’t enjoy the exam therefore, because it reminded me of my weakness, it made my failure a reality and no one likes that.

You see the whole point of scripts is that they are lived out. That’s the true test; That’s life’s exam! We previously established that the Christian’s Script is Scripture. And if we are being honest, most of us are failing terribly or scarcely winning. Thus eventually, our intellectual knowledge is in vain. If I claimed to know math, and braged about it to my friends throughout the term, they of course would wait to see my exam transcript. And if it is contrary to my claims, then my profession is void. It is so even with our Christian life.

But why are we failing?

Let’s go back to my math analogy. For a long time, I refused to accept I was weak. That was until my near final exams. I was confronted with an evident ultimate failure backed by past cumulative underperformed transcripts. And I did what I should have done a long time ago; admitted my weakness and asked for help.

You see, at the very basis of Christianity is the fact that man is not self-sufficient. We fundamentally believe that we are created and further that in God, we live, move and have our being. We often mistake the agency and liberty of choice bestowed on us by a loving God to be our own strength. We forget so easily.

Infact, aside from mere existence, the standard outlayed for the Christian- Godliness, Godlikenes- is far beyond anything that we in and of ourselves are able to conjure. We are living in a state weakened by sin for over 6000 years; how is it we claim to understand the extents of Godliness and much more the living out of it?

We first of all fail when we refuse to see our weakness. When we choose rather blindness to clear cumulative evidences of our desperate need for a Saviour. He/she who does not see their need, their weakness will not venture out for strength or a Saviour. God does not need to arbitrarily be involved to ensure our failure. It is the ultimate result of severing our souls from the source of life. When a branch is severed from the vine, it inevitably withers and dies. But God in His mercy wields our failure to bring us back to Himself.

Second we fail because we do not ask. When I realized the inevitable deterioration of my math grade, I had two options; to succumb and sink in despair or, to ask for help. Often when God brings my sin/weakness/ failure to live up to the standard set by Him, I have sank in despondency. But I am realizing that that is the deception of the devil. God never points out sin to condemn or revile. His word says;

KJV Romans 5
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

When I am shown how I am falling short by God, it is that He may grant grace, that He may send help.

KJV 2 Corinthians 12
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

But we fail because instead of praying in weakness, we despair. We fail when we do not take hold of the Omnipotent arm. God is willing to send grace, to send help more than we are to ask.

My math grade redemption was really in these two steps; I accepted my weakness, and asked for help. Yes, I got a good grade.

In a world with so many scripts, it’s hard to find our bearing, the true North. What is true and what is not.

This however is crucial because our perception of reality fundamentally dictates the trajectory of our lives; our character and the choices we make.

What script do you abide by? And in what fires have those ideologies been tried and proven true and sustainable? Is it the “Follow your heart” narrative, “follow the crowd” or follow the Bible?

As a millennial Christian this is the reality I am having to navigate and graple with, and it’s not easy to say the least. Feelings can be so loud and persuasive, following the crowd gives a presumptive sense of belonging and theeen, there’s the Bible. You see, there’s a difference between these other scripts and Scripture. It is that Scripture is constant. It is not affected by the fluctuations of hormones, economy, fashion or geography.

Sounds nice right? But is it really the reality of our experience? When all around gives way and your experience veers off of what God’s word says, does it still hold water? Are you able to sustain a constant when everything else is not?

Well, I’m learning that everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Truth is, the heart yearns for constancy, and this is only met in the Bible. So when all around is sinking sand, we remain with the choice; to go with the oscillating flows, or be planted on solid ground.

I assume like me, you’d like the safety of solid ground. But maintaining the constant script found in the Bible is not easy when everything else is seems against it. So I’ll share two things that keep me grounded:

1. God’s omniscience.

It has been profoundly significant to know that Scripture is the word of a God who knows the end from the beginning. His promises and requirements are backed by omniscience and infinite love. He knew what He was saying because He could see it, and He gave Scripture as reality’s marking scheme so we also don’t have to guess.

2. His biddings are enablings.

God does not bid us to follow then leave us. If we surrender our lives to His service, we cannot be placed in a position for which He has not made provision. When He bids us trust, it is because He has and is going to give evidence sure enough to trust. When He bids us do, it is because He is able to make us willing to do and the the power thereof. When He bids us to seek Him, it is because He’s already on our path chasing us!

Scripture is the Christian’s Script; it’s the Word of a God who’s Constant and Compassionate. Therefore trust.

…to be continued.

What if heaven is real?
What if there are really mansions of gold,
And beauty and bounties untold?

What if heaven is real?
Where the weary and worn at last find repose,
As they exchange for a crown their cross?

What if heaven is real?
Where loved ones never say goodbye,
And we sing and talk and walk by and by?

What if heaven is real?
Where there’s healing and retribution for every wrong,
And God at last avenges His beloved throng?

What if heaven is real?
Where sin cannot rear its ugly head,
But all is love, joy and death is dead?

What if heaven is real?
Where we’ll know no thirst or want,
For we’ll have Christ for whom our hearts pant?

What if heaven is now!
What if its a Person before whom sin, anxiety and death bow,
And He can live in us if we allow?

So, what if heaven is real?
Is it not worth seeking and thinking through,
If these sayings are faithful and true?

“KJV Revelation 21
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11JpuT57E1fYbWoDTTwFfBcMCL-87BhwJ/view?usp=drivesdk (AUDIO VERSION.)

Have you ever watched Spongebob? No, wait, that’s criminal to ask. I should rather say, Who hasn’t watched Spongebob…So, yeah, in that cartoon show, there’s Mr. Krabbs, who is Spongebob’s boss. And if you’ve watched the show, the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about Mr. Krabbs is, say it with me…MONEY! And it’s obsessive to a fault. The more he gets the more he wants. Let’s talk about that today. No, we’re not talking about cartoons, we’re talking about the Mr. Krabbs problem. Because Mr. Krabbs lives in us all.

A popular saying we’re embracing in Kenya is, Mambo ni mengi na masaa ni machache (meaning: time is inversely proportional to all there is to do). But I think there’s a worthier, relatable saying that we should have. That, Mambo ni mengi na pesa ni kidogo( Money is inversely proportional to our wants😂). I feel like saying, if you agree please type, amen. But honestly, you don’t need to, truth is independent of opinion😂. Oh, and I also study professionally about scarcity and wants😅.

But okay, okay. Let’s be practical. So this is me. I’ll be okay, minding my own business, but as soon as I see the message, “Confirmed! You have received..” Yes, there’s that glorious feeling, but immediately afterwards, I start remembering that I need new shoes, let’s take away my fare to school Each day, oh and then there’s that cause I was to support…Oh, yes and then I’m a Christian so just take away tithe and offering😅( and I know this should be first but that’s not always the case, let’s be honest). And before I can even thank the one who sent the money, I’m already depressed because I’m remaining with 5 Bob.😅 Relatable?

We have a scarcity problem. We live in want. Not because there’s no resources/ money, but because our wants exceed them. We are ever seeking but never filling. But even more tragic is we want to blame our parents, the government, inflation etc…while the real problem is sin. The real problem is that we have forsaken the owner of everything. And listen to what He says about it:

KJV Jeremiah 2
13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Our vessels are broken. They can hold no water. And then you realize that you are still expected to give?! From what? You hardly have enough for yourself. You see to truly give; emotionally, materially and spiritually is impossible for the sinner. To give without expecting to receive, to give and not begrudgingly; is brutal to the heart in want. And as Christians we still fall into the same loop. But God has helped me crack this problem, thus far I think😅 And the following things have helped me learn contentment:

Child of a King.

The moment we accept Jesus into our lives, the Bible says we are adopted into sonship. We become children of the King. And this is not just the king of a regional place, its the King of the universe, His dominion is not constrained by space or time. He is the Creator of it all. And this means two things:

1.God is Father to the Christians (Rom.8:15). And that means God obligated Himself to take care of You. You are the object of His love and care, the apple of His eye. And He gladly takes up the responsibility, He is not a neglectful, absent dad. He is willing to sustain us.

KJV Matthew 7
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

2. God is Sovereign and in control. He is not limited in His means to provide. He has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know not of. He is not burdened by our needs; all that is ,He created. And when I am under His care, I place myself under the arm of infinite treasures. And He is intentional about providing for our temporal and eternal needs. And this is not to say that He will give us everything that comes to our mind, some of those are not even good. But He will give us all that we need.

So, I have learned to ask of the Lord and trust that He will supply. The problem is that often we seek these things instead of seeking God; The owner of all these things. And even as we seek God, we seek Him because of what He has and not who He is. Don’t get it mixed up. If we do that, we will get tired. Find God out for yourself, who He is, and He satisfies every need we have. Spiritual, emotional, relational and material.

KJV Matthew 6
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Previously we set out on a clarity excursion of what religion really is. If you didn’t note, there was no affirmation or validation of if religion is true or if there’s a real God, who is good. And I’m hoping I could do that today.

Now there are many apologetics out there on religion. Note: Apologetics mean, “reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine.” These include historical evidences, the complexity of creation, objective moral standards, etc.

But I would like to take a slightly different curviate. You see, as already established, the ultimate Christian belief is in a personal, all-powerful, personal, loving God. The moment this is done away with, then there is no theology, doctrine and ultimately religion. The problem is we (even as Christians) cling on to explanations and theories that we term as truth, of a God we have never met!

Jesus said :

KJV John 14
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

God is the truth. That means, you take away God, then there is no truth.

What I’m I trying to say dear reader? That ultimately the evidence of religion and of truth is an encounter with God Himself. And that is something beyond explanation. It has to be an experience. God is not a theory dear reader. He is not a nice Man that lives in pages. He is Someone that can be met, talked to, heard and felt.

Yes, God has given us the Bible, His infallible word. But not as an end, but a means to an end. The Bible is to lead us to an actual, personal God and into communion with Him. That is what worship is. That is what religion is and that, changes sinners into saints.

So, finally, my charge is that you may seek out an experience with God. Ask Him to reveal Himself. Try, test and prove the promises in His word. Seek Him out, for He is willing to be found by you.

KJV Jeremiah 29
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

What is religion? Do you consider yourself a religious person? What does that look like?

These questions are taboo, especially if being asked around religious circles. We are not supposed to ask them as if they are supposed to be obvious. But no. The absence of clarity results to ignorance of reality. If your religion is enshrouded in mystery with no liberty to ask questions; well, I dare say, reconsider.

So I consulted my dictionary on this matter and this is how it describes religion:

The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

Religion suggests the existence of a Power above and beyond us, this being not just a force like gravity but an actual person behind that power. For Christians it’s God, Muslims its Allah, some have gods etc… But that’s not my point today. My point is, so what?

So there’s a Person(s) with ultimate power somewhere, then what? Sounds bizarre to ask, right? But you see that’s where most of us leave it at. And it’s as crazy as it sounds. You ask people and they say, “I’m not religious, but yes, I know God is real.” What?! How can that leave you indifferent? How can you live indifferent to the fact that there’s Someone with absolute power, who can prosper or annihilate you? That’s crazy to me and frankly there can be no difference between that person and an atheist.

Now a historian called Lord Acton said: Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. And given our immediate context of the existence of One with ultimate power, this should send our minds racing.

If religion is to be true and significant, the question is not merely in the existence of a powerful being, but is He good?.. If this Being is under Lord Acton’s school of thought, then we’re in trouble, if not then that’s the best news to fall on mortal ear.

Dear reader, are you religious? Do you believe in the existence of a literal, personal, powerful Being and Is He good?

A desire to desire,
A longing to long.
So is it with the heart.
And by day and night, the soul painfully bleeds until it finds the thing.
The thing that drives it out of the warm bed at dawn;
The thing that keeps it up in the twilight shadows;
The thing upon which to set its affections;
The thing that is worth plunging into the deep, or scaling the uttermost height;
Worth to live for;
Worth to die for.
And until then, there is no rest.
Until then, we barely live.
We grop on frantically in the quest;
Longing to long;
Desiring to be filled with desire.

KJV Psalms 32
9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

It has been interesting for me to discover the inseparability between holiness and happiness. Thus when sin comes into the picture, it has a backpack full of woes. Pain and suffering are not necessarily an arbitrary action from God because we sinned. Rather sin is its own punishment.

Psalm 32 talks about the blessedness of God’s forgiveness. But then there is a paradigm to this horse analogy, and I suggest this is why…

Even though sin is the one that comes with trouble, God has specialized in bringing good out of evil. Consider this quote:

It is written that God cursed the ground for man’s sake.Genesis 3:17. The thorn and the thistle—the difficulties and trials that make his life one of toil and care—were appointed for his good as a part of the training needful in God’s plan for his uplifting from the ruin and degradation that sin has wrought.

God has has fashioned the trouble we bring on ourselves to refine us and in essence bring us back to Himself. Thus, the previous verse states:

KJV Psalms 32
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Even so, verse 9 reveals something interesting. After we have experienced the blessedness of forgiveness God desires to redirect our path to right ways. However, what usually happens? We fall into a state of calmness to a fault. We once more easily are led astray because there is no pain or guilt leading us back to God. We become like a horse in need of bridling. So we fall back into sin, then sin brings woes, woes lead us to seek God and the cycle continues.

God is clearly saying in verse 9, that he is not pleased to watch us bridled and tamed by suffering so that we turn to Him. It is sad that we cannot be trusted with joy or peace. True, some afflictions come to us because of other people’s bad choices; but my prayer is that pain and affliction may not have us running to God, but that it should find us already sitting at His feet.

Can you be trusted with joy?

There’s a girl and a pot. What’s cooking? Joy. As I share my recipe, I would like you to know that all these have taken surrender to God, openness to learn and consistent reminding. You will notice that most of the things that strangle our joy may be external, but they root from our own minds and how we think. The call is not to change the world, but to actually allow yourself to be changed.(by truth.) Let’s get cooking..

1. We don’t own people.

I am here to demolish the Disney, Hollywood fallacy first. We have grown up to be taught by it that we are to have a person or people, that are ours, and their allegiance is to us and ours to them. This has been harshly countered by the reality of what life is. Our loved ones move, die or we even just drift.

It may seem austere and I hate to break it to you but we don’t own people. In fact, I lied, I don’t hate to break it to you. This is rather a very liberating truth. Its expedient that we realize that we cannot cling to people thus and that people can’t be lifelines. God is wiser than to place us in a situation where we can’t function when a loved one leaves. Fact is, according to Scripture we don’t even own ourselves let alone other people.

KJV 1 Corinthians 6
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

2. Loving the right way.

We naturally and rightly yearn to be seen, to be heard, to be loved and as well, to love. However, it is dismal that the natural/carnal mind can only give to be given. And this is not giving in its true sense. We love to be loved. This is unquestionably a recipe for disaster.

Our recipe today says, we may only love because we’re already loved. Our love to others is not on a reciprocal basis. And even in romantic relationships and close friendships that require mutuality in effort and vulnerability, we can even there only truly love from a point of wholeness; where we understand we are already loved. If our love is self-seeking, our joy will never be full.

KJV 1 John 4
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

3. Sanctification.

In God’s plan to save humanity there are three processes; justification(saved from the penalty of sin), sanctification (saved from the power of sin) and glorification (saved from the presence of sin). Christ has of course paid for the penalty of sin by His death on the cross. The ongoing process in the believer is now being sanctified. This process is not easy. Its not supposed to be. It is declaring war against yourself.

It has been helpful for me to realize that this process first, takes time and second is actually a revelation of God’s willingness to save me. The fire is to consume my sin and not me.

KJV Revelation 3
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

KJV 2 Corinthians 12
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

…to be continued.