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#BeautifulThings

Photo courtesy of @Judy Niemeyer

Psalm 139
Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

(1) Adonai, you have probed me, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I stand up, you discern my inclinations from afar,
3 you scrutinize my daily activities. You are so familiar with all my ways
4 that before I speak even a word, Adonai, you know all about it already.
5 You have hemmed me in both behind and in front and laid your hand on me.
6 Such wonderful knowledge is beyond me, far too high for me to reach.
7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I lie down in Sh’ol, you are there.
9 If I fly away with the wings of the dawn and land beyond the sea,
10 even there your hand would lead me, your right hand would hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Let darkness surround me, let the light around me be night,”
12 even darkness like this is not too dark for you; rather, night is as clear as day, darkness and light are the same.
13 For you fashioned my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I thank you because I am awesomely made, wonderfully; your works are wonders —
I know this very well.
15 My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes could see me as an embryo, but in your book all my days were already written;
my days had been shaped before any of them existed.
17 God, how I prize your thoughts! How many of them there are!
18 If I count them, there are more than grains of sand; if I finish the count, I am still with you.

Alive & Vibrant

Today I was part of an event that challenged my thinking is so many ways. It was a candid conversation between the East Africa Community Secretary General Amb. Richard Sezibera and East Africans facilitated by AlyKhan Satchu. This is a monthly event called Mindspeak that opens the floor to talk about economics, business and life as we know it.

The key point of interest for me was the fact that the future of our homes and lives as a people is very closely tied to our ability to connect to our purpose and live it out. In the discussion about the East Africa Community was to allow us to interrogate the value and the future of the federation as well as the importance of the same. Amb. Sezibera talked a lot about the good going on in the region and the good reasons for integration and federation. Yet in the same vein he challenged each of us stand up and take charge of our part in this growth. He took time to help us see that there are opportunities, challenges, strengths and weaknesses. The future of the continent and the region lies on the capacity of the young people to take a stand and begin to live out their lives for the good of the continent. Amb. Sezibera said a few very interesting things:

  1. The young people are the future of this continent
  2. The young people have energy and intellect and just need to add desire to it
  3. There are immense opportunities to make a difference and a living one just has to be willing to look and live outside the norm
  4. There has to be immense innovation and creative thinking employed

When I think about these elements I look back to the way we live our faith lives. These elements also apply to how we live and connect to our divine purpose…let me explain.

  1. We will not be here forever so indeed the young people in every generation are the future of the nation and its divine destiny.
  2. The young people are energetic and active and what we need to do is teach them to ask the right questions and seek the right things. This raises a deeper question which is whether the adults even know the right questions to ask let alone teach the young people how to ask these questions.
  3. There are great opportunities to deepen our relationship with God. We must realise that to deepen our relationship with God and truly connect with divine purpose requires that we take time out of our ‘busy’ schedules and have quiet focused moments with Him.

That said, a slew of questions begins to ring in my head that I must deal with:

  • Am I doing as much as I can to connect to God?
  • Am I committed to sharing what I am learning with others?
  • Am I staying alive and vibrant?

I pray that by the grace of God and a deep connection to Him I will remain alive and vibrant like the Loquats in the picture. The colours of the loquats really speak to me  because

  • Green denotes Praise; Growth; New beginnings; Eternal life; Prosperity; Vigor; Freshness; Resting in God; Knowledge; Fresh oil.
  • Yellow denotes Joy; Sunshine/Sonshine; Spiritual Enlightenment.

These two colours speak about things that will bring change and value and renewal all around me and these are the very things that I  have set out in my heart to pursue and connect to daily to remain alive and vibrant.

Join Me!

Strength for Small Crevices

This picture was sent to me a couple of weeks ago by my sister and it astounded me.

The thing that catches my attention again and again is the fact that the body is in an upright position but the head of the eagle is still in the proper straight ahead position. How cool is that?

I am reminded that even when the hard times hit and we are forced to fly through crevices there is need to keep our eyes fixed on the Father. Remember that when Peter was walking on the water towards Jesus…he was fine until he looked away from Christ

Let’s look at Matthew 14:27-30
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

The challenge was when he looked away…his focus changed and he lost the connection with God and hence the laws of nature took over. The challenges made it impossible for him to continue walking in the power and anointing of God because he had disconnected.

What is causing you to disconnect in this season.
What are you looking at that is hindering your view of God?
Do you even know your view of God is hindered?

Let’s be like the eagle in this picture…regardless of what it has to do…its head remains level, facing forward, keeping the target in sight…clear line of sight and perfect vision is what we desire that we may never lose sight of Papa.

(Image courtesy of Pintrest.com via Waarda Mohamed)

Glory of Creation

#SimpleThings…this photo was shared by Moses Nderitu part of the Jubilee Ride from Nairobi to the Cape and back to raise money for scholarships.

I have followed the ride on Twitter and Facebook and have seen some of the most astounding pictures I have ever seen. Everyday I see another expression of the majesty of creation

I stand amazed…every day I see the pictures I remember the anthem…the great prayer for and blessing over us…

O God of all creation
Bless this our land and nation
Justice be our shield and defender
May we dwell in unity
Peace and liberty
Plenty be found within our borders.

Let one and all arise
With hearts both strong and true
Service be our earnest endeavour
And our homeland of Kenya
Heritage of splendour
Firm may we stand to defend.

Let all with one accord
In common bond united
Build this our nation together
And the glory of Kenya
The fruit of our labour
Fill every heart with thanksgiving.

20140103-003835.jpg

This beautiful picture is just one of many that have been shared at the start of a new year and all of them have stopped me in my tracks. They are clear, beautiful, eye catching, and speak volumes.

The pictures are a reminder that of days ahead. These days are opportunities to live and experience life to the fullest and they will be as wonderful as I expect them to be. They are a reminder that life is driven by what we believe and who we align to and with.

The beauty of nature reminds me of God’s greatness and His divine ability to bring to life those things that are not. It reminds me that if God took the time to create such beauty daily, then I am not a mistake and there is a divine plan for me. I stand in awe of Him because I have realised that without Him I can do nothing.

This year:
I dedicate my life afresh to Papa and purpose to follow faithfully and obediently.
I purpose to slow down and take time to smell the roses.
I purpose to be more grateful and gracious.
I purpose to grow.
I purpose to savour life like we savour a great desert

I know it won’t always be easy but I will keep walking because Papa’s promise is that He will never leave me nor forsake me. Faith has to become consistent and daily action. I am excited that 2014 provides another opportunity to grow and change.

What do you purpose to do this year?

(Photo courtesy of Moses Nderitu on the Jubilee Ride)

#Christmas...#Celebrate

This photo reminds me of elegance, grace and beauty.

I love the reminder that I am important in God’s Scheme of things and that He did so much for me to be His Child.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

#SimpleThings....#Christmas #Reflections

Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

#SimpleThings #Christmas #Reflections

What are you #Thankful for this year?
What struggles, challenges and hard times have you overcome?
What do we have to celebrate?

There is good and something to be thankful about in everything that happens around us.
Join me and celebrate the goodness, beauty and success of life.

#Christmas #Reflections……#SimpleThings

#SimpleThings...Sweetness Embraced

Ok…so by now if you read my blog often you all know I am a sweet tooth and am inspired by beautiful things.

I have been thinking and reading about Chocolate Truffles. According to Wikipedia, A chocolate truffle is a type of chocolate confectionery, traditionally made with a chocolate ganache centre coated in chocolate, icing sugar, cocoa powder or chopped toasted nuts, usually in a spherical, conical, or curved shape. Other fillings may replace the ganache: cream like melted chocolate, caramel, nuts, almonds, berries, or other assorted sweet fruits, nougat, fudge, or toffee, mint, chocolate chips, marshmallow, and, popularly, liqueur.

The different fillings and the enjoyable taste made me think about our lives. We are all made of heart soul and body. Our outer cover may be different in terms of colour of complexion. Our insides are also different in terms of temperament, beliefs and behaviour.

However, just because a chocolate truffle has a white chocolate covering and mint filling and another one has a chocolate ganache filling and dark chocolate topping doesn’t change the fact that they both truffles.

Let’s be fair to one another and realise that nothing seperates us from the love of God and our humanity is the reason we are on this planet.

Remember that our differences are what make us strong and great. Our differences like our individual purposes meet a specific need and provide a specific connection to the completion of divine purpose on earth.

Choose today to be all you can be
Embrace the colour and flavour you bring to this life
Live on and in purpose

#SimpleThings

#SimpleThings....#Rest

Every week I look for things that are #simple and #profound

This picture was first posted last year by Ncruba a long time acquaintance and I loved it then and love it now

The silhouette and the setting sun are a promise for #rest and #refreshment that awaits each of us at the end of the day…so I say…find #SimpleThings that help you rest and post them online this week..

Take time to #Rest
Take time to #Refresh
Take time for #SimpleThings