After 5 years of being a written and performing poet [Spoken Word artist], Number8 launches his debut album, REBUILDING on Saturday 10th September. This will be done through a concert that, just like the album, will take you through a grace-laced journey of faith.

NOTE: There will be two identical events on the same day. The first will be at 2-4pm and the second one will be at 5-7pm.

CHARGES: 250 Shillings.

Get tickets from WELLS BOOKSHOP – NAKUMATT LIFESTYLE, 1ST FLOOR. Alternatively, buy using MPESA on 0725782227. First, call Rose on this number to confirm availability for the show you want and afterwards buy on the same number. Or if I (Number8) am at a gig, you can get from me then…! BUT, GET YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE – VERY IMPORTANT. Shalom… #Rebuilding

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

I am currently listening to an audio version of the book, The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, the current president of World Vision US.

Richard Stearns book is rather relevant to us in Africa, despite being written primarily for a US audience. One poignant fact that caught my attention was the newsworthiness of a plane crash killing ~200 people, whereas over 24000 children die daily from poverty, hunger, easily preventable diseases and illnesses, and other related causes.

The audio book is a free download this month from http://www.christianaudio.com

I must say that despite having an audio copy, I still intend to get myself a hard copy version of the book. It is certainly worth reading through (and acting upon the challenges!).  Another thing is that it is not a book (so far as I have read) that you’d want to read and not want to do anything.

More as I read through but so far there’s tons of things I need to change, and act on.

Why do ‘bad’ things happen to ‘good’ people?

Why do ‘bad’ things happen to God’s people?

My dad happened to preach a sermon on this last Sunday from Romans 8:18-27. Here is a summary of his message. (My notes italicized)

-

1) There are generally four responses to suffering

- Denial
- Getting Angry – Blaming God
- Blaming others; This originated in the Garden of Eden. Adam blaming Eve, and Eve blaming the Serpent.
- Accepting it and learning from it. Think of Job – the Lord gives and the Lord takes.

Romans 8:18- SUFFERING compared to GLORY. Sufferings of this world are not worth comparing to future glory.

Hebrews 12:3 - Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

(This is Easter. Thinking of the suffering that Christ underwent for my sins. The 39 lashes alone that he suffered leaves the back with no skin; a messy sight of blood and flesh. The nails were probably driven through the palm of his hands – rather painful. The rejection from his Father in heaven as he took on the sins of the world must have hurt the most. The Father could not look on sin)

2) Three truths regarding Suffering

- Suffering is temporary (19-22). For a Christian, death is not the end. We live in a decaying world.
- Suffering is for our learning (23-25). A lot of groaning even for Christians, over loved ones gone astray, and many more. But we have hope, but we must be patient. No one hopes for what he can see.
(1 John 3:1-3)
- Suffering is beneficial (26-27) the Spirit intercedes for us and helps us in our weaknesses.

3) Three thoughts to Consider:

- Suffering is a Necessary part of the Christian Life
- God uses Suffering to prepare us for glory
- Suffering can never separate us from God (Rom 8:35)

4) Don’t ask ‘why do bad things happen to good people’.

There are NO good people. (light bulb moment). The better question to ask is: ’Why do good things happen to bad people’.

This is a GOOD thing – Christ dying for us -> (Rom 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us)

That is why it is the Good News.

-

Here is a similar article on the same question.

In terms of application to Kenya, these things clearly came out as being against the Kingdom of God:

• A lack of work ethic – There is too much of cutting corners. No one wants to do a job properly, and many times when the odd person attempts to be thorough, they are mocked. Just think of the many collapsed buildings we have.
• Inability to follow rules – The classic example – Nairobi roads.  How many of us have broken a traffic rule today –  (I dare say most if not all of us).  Speed limits are rarely followed, using indicators when switching lanes, overtaking at junctions, the list is endless…
• Tribalism – A lot has been said and written about this, but we do not seem to learn, even after the clashes during each election period for the last decade or two that culminated in the worst outbreak of violence that Kenya has seen early last year. Even so tribalism is still alive and kicking in Kenya.
• Greed – He remarked that it is interesting that most of the people involved in mega scandals were not paupers. It was not people stealing so as to be able to feed themselves and their family (this is not to say that this is right either). It was so as to have more and more (and more..).

All this is against the Kingdom of God. More evidence that the 80% Christian statistic for Kenya does not reflect people who are actually in the Kingdom. One must be reconciled with God to become part of the Kingdom.

I did a little looking up and found out:

• About work, the Bible says:

Proverbs 22:29 (New International Version)
Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings;
he will not serve before obscure men.

I’ve enjoyed the videos I’ve watched of the band – especially his expression while playing his drums… thoroughly enjoying himself while worshipping…

‘For I know the plans I have for you’ declares the LORD, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future’.

This verse today has been very uplifting to me. Psalms 29:11 too

I went for the second show which started at about 5.30 pm. In late 2002 with Mission Driven, we had done a concert at KNT and had some power problems, so I was praying that they would not have the same problems that we encountered back them.

Started with National Anthem with Webi leading it with a guitar. (I loved it, being a guitar addict). Israel led some praise and worship songs, and the show got started.

Backed by a live band, Zina did all but 3 of the songs from their album Changed. I personally love live music. There’s some element of a live performance that cannot be reproduced when a song done backed by a track.

Zina comprises of Salome, Priscah, Sheila and Milka. They have somehow managed to juggle time between their various studies, and working on this album and this concert. Their CD is out and is a must have, for me at least.
Mwafrika.com should have more pictures soon.